My ears are burning.
Colorado I know Barbizon is out there. Not the cheapest vendor but a good starting source. Others, there are but I don't remember. I know I get my sign making lamp bases from a New Orleans named company that's located in that state.
If building a theater/church space, you should start with the budget and a consultant and architect. That consultant will function as the primary on site eyes for what you need and be well worth the investment. Check refrences and resume well. Be choosy or it's not going to help. This is my advice on where to start. We could be those that you ask for opinions on what they advice or recommend specific components but that person on the job should be your starting
point.
Let's say your new digs only have single
phase three
wire and it's out of budget at the moment to upgrade the
power system or the air conditioning
system is going to take up the delta
power source and you don't have a
wye source. That would be a major limiting factor in what gear you could use not to mention the
transformer size. Details like that require a person hired to be onsite to represent you that's done this type of thing before. Other things such as going Catalyst
system or other high tech, could be worth it given the sky is the limit. My company supplies the gear for a local huge church - Willow Creek, that has huge budgets and money left over every year to the
point they just buy stuff to use it up. I expect your budget while possibly nice won't be enough to go that high tech plus the learning curve on getting a lot of high tech gear will be cost prohivitive. Might be better off starting basic with a few toys than growing into bigger and better things.
stagecraft
http://stagecraft.theprices.net/stagecraft/ has had a lot of debate in the past about what to look for in hiring a consultant and opening up a new performance space. I would say start there. Prosound lighting forum
http://www.prosoundweb.com/community/forum.php?board=4 has had some discussions about opening up of similar church/performance spaces that might be of value and it has a few members in similar situations.
We are all in the same industry and I would not write off any of our members for good advice or experience in similar things, but also use the other people out there.
That a good start?
As for the crap lights and things you have, don't get rid of them unless you can sell them for at least 75% of what you paid for them. They might need some work but a bird in the
hand is worth two in the air. Or in other words, "My kindom for another
parcan!" I'm sure mister 12 lights would agree.