Demolition began Monday on two side buildings at the Royal George Theatre site, marking the start of the dismantling of the 110-year-old theatre to make way for a new, bigger Royal George.
Shaw Festival executive director Tim Jennings said in an email the demolition of the Victoria Street buildings, which were two heritage-designated houses at 178 and 188 Victoria St., is expected to take about two to three weeks, though timelines may vary depending on the weather.
Jennings acknowledged delays in the project.
“We are behind,” he said. “We are starting this demolition months later than we’d planned but are pleased to now have the transformation of the Royal George Theatre site underway.”
Demolition of the main theatre and box office has also been delayed by about one month. It was previously reported that work would begin in late February or early March.
“We expect the demolition of the Royal George Theatre and adjacent box office/costume shop building will start in early April and it will take approximately four to five weeks from that starting date,” Jennings said.
The teardown of these two structures has also been put on pause due to a judicial review launched by a Niagara-on-the-Lake builder, who alleges the town failed to follow proper planning and heritage rules.
Niagara-on-the-Lake town council approved the demolition of the Victoria Street buildings in September, following a recommendation from the municipal heritage committee. The Shaw Festival, which owns the properties, said it contracted a demolition firm last fall.
Jennings said the Shaw Festival purchased 178 Victoria St. in 2017 and 188 Victoria St. in 2022. He said the first building housed artists, vocal coaching spaces, and an education gallery and garden, while the second was used as administrative office space.
Some materials from the Victoria Street buildings will be saved, Jennings said.
“We will be salvaging a few hand sawn wooden beams from 178 Victoria St., and previously removed some antique, but not original fixtures,” he said. “There was nothing identified as being of heritage salvage interest in the gallery or old pizza shop.”
Jennings said the cleared space will be used to install geothermal wells as part of the project’s zero-carbon design. He said installation will take about five weeks after demolition is complete.
Once the wells are installed, the former Victoria Street footprint will be incorporated into the new theatre.
Jennings said the rehearsal hall and backstage areas will “primarily” occupy the space. The design also includes some green space, five accessible parking spots and an accessibility ramp to the backstage areas.
Reaction to the demolition has been mixed in the community.
Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa has been supportive of the project and repeated that support.
“The demolition of the structures on Victoria Street is part of the process related to the Royal George Theatre redevelopment project,” he said.
“The Shaw Festival is following the required heritage, planning, and building processes, and the town will continue to review each stage of the development and construction works in accordance with applicable policies and legislation.”
Coun. Erwin Wiens said he sees the demolition as a positive step.
“I’m excited that we’re going to rebuild that George Theatre to make it last 200 years,” he said.
“As we move forward, this is going to be great for the town of NOTL.”
Other councillors expressed reservations. Coun. Sandra O’Connor, who voted against the Shaw Festival’s proposal, said she believes the new theatre will be too large and will negatively affect the streetscape.
She said she supports changes to the existing theatre but not the current design.
“I didn’t see the Shaw willing to negotiate on that aspect of it,” she said.
O’Connor said she was “disappointed” by the demolition.
Coun. Gary Burroughs called the demolition “very sad to see” and said he “hoped they were making the right decision.”
He described the process surrounding the new Royal George Theatre as “less than desirable,” adding he still has not seen a model of what is being built.
Residents have also shared differing views.
Sharon Noble-Hudson, who lives in Garrison Village, said the existing building is not suitable for many Shaw Festival patrons, particularly seniors. She said the lack of an elevator made it difficult to navigate the stairs with a cane after she broke her leg.
The new venue promises to be the most accessible theatre in North America, Jennings previously told The Lake Report.
However, she also raised concerns about heritage preservation.
“We should consider our heritage when we’re building new things,” she said.
Paulette Kennedy, a resident of Old Town, called the demolition “necessary” and said she supports the new theatre project.
“I think the residents and the businesses are going to be very happy,” Kennedy said.
