After the Shaw Festival’s open house last week at the Royal George Theatre, some Niagara-on-the-Lake residents are feeling more optimistic about the planned rebuild — while others remain cautious.
The proposed redevelopment of the 110-year-old theatre has sparked a wide range of opinions in the community. Shaw held the public event last Wednesday to present its case and gather feedback.
About 90 registered attendees toured various parts of the Royal George, where they were shown what the theatre company described as a deteriorating building in need of repair, along with its vision for a modern replacement.
Executive director Tim Jennings said the festival plans to revise its proposed design based on what it heard from the public.
“I thought that the event went very well, and we got excellent feedback and heard some consistent concerns,” he said. “We are working on incorporating some of those ideas and concerns into the updated design, which we hope to have updated for mid-August.”
Many Niagara-on-the-Lake residents who attended said they still have questions but remain open to the discussion.
Susan Addario, a local resident, said she had an open mind about the project.
“I’m interested in how they’re going to address accessibility issues,” Addario said.
Ron Simkus, a board member of the NOTL Residents Association, said the tour changed his view of the theatre’s condition.
“It was probably more in need of repair than I thought it was,” said Simkus.
“The actual theatre has to be replaced … I don’t even think it’s a choice because there’s just not enough money you could pour into that thing to bring it up to code.”
Simkus added that the association believes significant changes are needed to improve the building’s appearance from both Queen and Victoria streets, especially the large fly tower, which will be five feet taller than the current one.
He also said the new theatre will likely need to be larger if it remains on the same site.
The proposed size and compatibility with the surrounding heritage district have been ongoing points of contention. Several residents, including some who spoke at a recent planning committee meeting, raised concerns.
Maria Vaneva, who owns the Wilson Guy House bed and breakfast in the Historic Old Town and is a member of the residents association, also attended the open house.
A vocal critic of the proposed design, she says her opinion did not change after the event.
The open house was “very well organized,” she said, but it failed to address core issues for her — particularly the heritage value of the Royal George and surrounding buildings.
“These buildings have associated and contextual value (in relation to the heritage district),” she said.
Jennings said the next step is to incorporate community feedback into an updated design. He emphasized that the process will continue over several years.
Former interim chief administrative officer Bruce Zvaniga, who attended the open house as a private citizen, echoed that point.
“I’m interested in learning more,” he said. “We had a great public meeting, a lot of opinions, it’s a super part of the process, but it is a multi-step process.”
For Vaneva, the results of that process could have a direct impact on her business.
“I think I will be affected personally,” she said. “It will affect the flow of guests coming because of the construction … I don’t know, we have to wait and see.”
Town council must still approve a rezoning request to convert one portion of the proposed site — which is currently divided into four zoning parcels — from residential to commercial before the Shaw Festival can move ahead.
It remains unclear when council will vote on the rezoning. The whole of council met for the last time on Tuesday before they went on an August break. The town said they don’t have immediate plans to vote on the rezoning.
“No decisions are being made at this stage,” said Marah Minor, the town’s communications co-ordinator. “A recommendation report will come forward at a future committee and council meeting.”
The Shaw Festival hopes to begin construction in early 2026 and complete the new theatre by August 2028.
The project has received $35 million in provincial funding. It’s estimated the rebuild will cost between $75 and 85 million.
