The Westminster City Council has reversed its previous decision to terminate the lease for the Rose Center Theater, allowing the managing nonprofit, the Friends of the Rose, to continue operations for an additional six months. This decision comes after significant community pushback and was formalized in a vote on December 18, 2025.
The Friends of the Rose, a nonprofit organization comprised of approximately 20 volunteers, has managed the 415-seat theater since its inception in 2006, located between 15th Street and All American Way in Westminster. Over nearly two decades, the theater has consistently produced four musicals each year, alongside providing an event space, outdoor patio, and fully equipped kitchen for various bookings.
In November, the council had decided not to renew the nonprofit’s lease, contemplating a shift towards transforming the theater into a city-run cultural center that could generate revenue for Westminster. However, no immediate alternative use was identified, leaving the theater’s future uncertain.
The nonprofit’s lease was due to expire on December 31, 2025, coinciding with a scheduled Rose Tribute Concert on December 30 and the final performance of its current production, “Robin Hood and the White Arrow: The Holiday Feast of Stephen,” which took place on December 19. Recognizing the community’s desire to maintain the theater’s operations, Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen called for a special meeting to reconsider the council’s earlier decision.
Nguyen, who initially advocated for the lease termination to explore new operational possibilities, acknowledged the value of the community’s input in shaping the decision. “I am the mayor of the city of Westminster and I represent each and every resident here. That’s why I am doing what I’m doing,” he stated during the meeting.
Ultimately, the council voted unanimously, with Councilmember Amy Phan West absent, to extend the lease for an additional six months. The Friends of the Rose will now pay $5,000 per month to cover maintenance and utilities, costs estimated to total around $50,000 annually. Furthermore, the nonprofit may seek additional extensions beyond June 2026 if future plans for the theater remain unclear.
In a statement on their website, the Friends of the Rose expressed gratitude towards the mayor, council members, and community supporters for their advocacy. “We extend our sincere appreciation for taking the time to revisit this matter and for engaging in thoughtful discussion regarding the ongoing operational management of the Rose Center Theater,” the statement read.
The nonprofit also extended an invitation to the community for the upcoming 20th Anniversary Celebration: The Rose Tribute Concert on December 30, promising “an evening of music, memory, and gratitude honoring the legacy of this stage and the community that continues to bring it to life.”
For more information about the theater and its events, visit rosecentertheater.com.
