The Roxy Theatre in Owen Sound is planning on using over $130,000 in grant dollars to make upgrades related to the pandemic.
The funds coming from the Resilient Communities Fund grant through the Ontario Trillium Foundation announced last week will allow the Roxy to acquire Covid safety related items, like plexiglass, barriers, sanitizing stations, and touchless toilets, according to Roxy Theatre Executive Director Marcia Cunningham.
According to a release, the grant money will be disbursed in installments over the next year and help the Roxy in purchasing technological equipment to create virtual content as well as continuing the development of local youth theatre.
Cunningham says, “the cameras, training, and equipment funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation grant will enable us to connect with our community and audience while providing our volunteer members of all ages, including our growing youth theatre program, with opportunities to perform and create.”
Additionally, following flooding that occurred in March at the theatre, Cunningham says they have had workers come in to tear off the damaged surface of the stage and the rebuilding process started on April 26.
“The surface of the stage needed to be rebuilt and in addition some drywall was damaged,” Cunningham explains. “And the theatre curtains were damaged because they all got wet, so those will be replaced.”
Cunningham notes restoration is expected to be completed in the next couple of weeks.
In terms of officially reopening the Roxy, she says: “it’s really hard to say because we don’t know when we will be able to.”
The theatre has been closed since March 13, 2020.
