The following letter was sent to the lord mayor and town council and shared with Niagara-on-the-Lake residents. A copy was submitted to The Lake Report for publication.

I’m writing as a proud resident of Niagara-on-the-Lake to strongly support the Shaw Festival’s plan to rebuild the Royal George Theatre on Queen Street.

The Royal George has been part of our town’s cultural heartbeat for decades, welcoming visitors from across the world and helping sustain our local shops, restaurants, and accommodations.

But the building is now outdated — its facilities, accessibility, and technical capacity no longer meet modern needs.

A rebuilt theatre will keep Niagara-on-the-Lake a world-class destination for arts and culture.

I also want to acknowledge the Shaw Festival’s openness in this process.

They have listened to resident concerns, adjusted their design to fit the character of Queen Street, and worked to ensure the new building will blend with our town’s charm while serving future generations.

This project is more than bricks and mortar — it’s an investment in our economy, our community spirit, and our cultural future.

I encourage council and the whole community to give it their full support.

Allan Bisback
NOTL