When it comes to development in Niagara-on-the-Lake, someone, somewhere, always has something negative to say.

We know — shocking, right? In this town?

Sometimes, sure, the criticism is warranted. But other times, we’re just firing at our own feet, tilting at windmills and lamenting changes that future generations will roll their eyes at.

Everyone’s entitled to an opinion. And they’re entitled to be wrong.

Because in this case, the criticism doesn’t hold water.

The Shaw has bent over backward to be transparent, responsive and community-minded. They’ve opened the theatre doors to show the building’s serious limitations — structural, accessibility-related and otherwise — and explained why it simply can’t be saved. They’re hosting a second open house, this one virtual, to give even more people a chance to weigh in.

And when residents said the initial design didn’t suit Queen Street? The two Tims — artistic director Tim Carroll and executive director Tim Jennings — took that feedback seriously. They’re revising the plan.

This week we also heard from Jon Taylor, co-chair of the company overseeing the rebuild. A local himself, Taylor emphasized that minimizing disruption to neighbours, businesses and tourists is a top priority throughout the construction.

What more can we reasonably ask for? A major institution is doing things the right way — listening, adjusting, communicating and making real efforts to include the public in the process. That’s not lip service. That’s leadership.

The Shaw Festival is showing us what responsible development can look like. That deserves recognition, even if some of our columnists disagree.

Let’s be clear: The views of our columnists are their own. Our editorial team doesn’t dictate — or always agree with — what they write. But this paper does believe in platforming a range of perspectives, even the ones we disagree with.

We encourage residents to learn about the Royal George project for themselves. Ask questions. Voice concerns. Reach out directly to Shaw executives — they are listening. They’re reading this paper. They want your input.

The Shaw Festival isn’t just another business. It’s part of the cultural heartbeat of this town. It always has been. And if we get this right, it will continue to be — stronger, more inclusive, and more accessible than ever.

Yes, construction is disruptive. Jon Taylor didn’t sugarcoat that. But the kind of change we’re talking about here is not reckless or careless. It’s thoughtful. It’s necessary. And it’s worth it.

Let’s also be honest about the current Royal George. Sure, it has charm. But it’s a logistical nightmare. The place floods. The accessible washrooms are in a separate building. The cramped bar area is hot, crowded and unpleasant. It’s past its prime.

The preliminary drawings for the new theatre? They look good to us. The marquee nods to the original. The glass front is warm and welcoming — a contemporary touch Queen Street could use.

NOTL shouldn’t be frozen in time. It can’t be. Not if we want to maintain safety, accessibility and long-term appeal. A better theatre will enhance the experience for audiences and draw more visitors — visitors who spend money at our shops, restaurants and hotels.

Let’s not pretend a new theatre is going to “kill the golden goose” of tourism. That’s absurd. The tourists kept coming after the golden arches arrived. They’ll keep coming past the boutique hotel and Dairy Queen. And they’ll keep coming long after the new Royal George opens.

And when they do — when they fill the seats and spill out onto Queen Street, when the shops are busy and the restaurants buzzing — maybe then we’ll realize the sky never fell.

But who are we kidding? In this town, someone will always find something to complain about.

Let’s not make that our legacy.