Dear editor:

Is it possible to solve the problems of Royal George Theatre without demolishing and rebuilding as currently proposed?

I humbly submit these solutions to restore and preserve the existing theatre, bring it up to code, and maintain the historic character of Queen Street.

1. Foundations are a structural engineering problem and totally solvable without demolishing the existing theatre.

2. More lobby and washroom space can be simply added by expanding into the adjacent building (where we pick up tickets), with a connection from the existing main entrance lobby.

The expanded lobby with bar and washrooms will be on the ground floor to the side of the existing theatre. The front of this adjacent building can be glass to show that it is part of the new lobby for the existing theatre.

3. The basements with new elevator and additions to the rear of both buildings can be for the back stage functions.

Yimlei Molly Yep (Retired architect and instructor at Willowbank School of Restoration Arts)
Queenston