The Ontario government has committed funding for the restoration of the Shaw Festival’s Royal George Theatre to elevate Niagara-on-the-Lake’s standing as a tourism destination.
The province will provide $35 million in funding, being paid over three years to support the rebuild, which is expected to create 550 new jobs and generate $29 million in government revenues during construction, according to an April 1 provincial news release.
The rebuild will cost between $75-85 million in total, with exact details still being finalized, the Shaw’s executive director and CEO Tim Jennings told The Lake Report.
The existing Royal George Theatre will close at the end of the year, with completion of the rebuild — part of the Shaw’s larger transformation — targeted for spring 2029.
Built during the First World War with clay “speed” tile designed to last only 25 years, the theatre now urgently needs repairs, as it welcomes over 100,000 visitors annually.
The goal of the new, bigger rebuild is to modernize the space while preserving its historic charm, adding 20 per cent more seating, improved accessibility and expanded rehearsal and workspaces. Currently, patrons needing accessible washrooms must exit the building and go down an alley.
“We are so grateful to the province,” Jennings said, adding that this move doesn’t just invest in the theatre — it’s a major boost for the cultural tourism industry.
The festival, as a whole, drives almost $300 million in tourism activity each year and the theatre generates more than $70 million in economic impact annually, Jennings said.
Premier Doug Ford first announced the idea of funding the rebuild during a campaign stop at Niagara District Airport on Feb. 8, though details were unclear at the time. He later confirmed that, if re-elected, the province will fund the rebuild.
“A successful Shaw festival theater goes hand in hand with a successful Niagara-on-the-Lake,” said Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa in an interview.
“The Shaw’s been a big player here since the early ’70s, which has really built the reputation of this town to be the center of cultural significance in wine country.”
It’s especially nice to witness, he said, after he and Coun. Erwin Wiens relentlessly made calls, wrote letters, held meetings, attended Queen’s Park — and did whatever it took to secure this funding.
“Every time I saw the minister of tourism, or the premier, I reminded them how important the Royal George was to town,” Zalepa said. “It was a full-court press. It was all hands on deck.”
Minister of tourism Stan Cho agrees about the Shaw’s legacy, calling it a “cultural icon” in the release.
Conservative candidate for Niagara Falls—Niagara-on-the-Lake, Tony Baldinelli, said this is a move he has always been in support of.
“And I’ll continue to do that,” he said. “The Shaw is an economic engine and driver for the tourism community and for Niagara-on-the-Lake.”
With additional space and new features, the Shaw plans to add new performances, learning and outreach programs and visitor experiences — like tours — to further encourage tourism in the Niagara region.
