Rotary Aqua Theatre Party
By John Swartz
The City of Orillia spent $777,000 renovating the Rotary Aqua Theatre. The first event at the refurbished venue happened with the Orillia Concert Band June 26 and the Orillia Silver Band will play there July 10 at 6:30 p.m.
But the official re-opening will happen Wednesday, July 20 at 6:30 p.m. The Little Big Band and the Rama Boys Drum will perform, there will be speeches, and when the lights go out, a showing of the fantastic concert video Tragically Hip’s That Night in Toronto will happen.
The contract to renovate the building was originally awarded in 2020, but work was delayed until summer 2021. Yorkton Contracting was the low bid of 7 submitted (2 from Orillia companies). The work done includes a new concrete floor and drain, new doors, repair damaged walls, painting, new fixtures, replacement of corroded steel support beams, repair and upgrades to the exterior of the building, a new electrical service, a cedar shake roof, and a new façade.
The Aqua Theatre was built in 1958.
(Photos by Swartz – SUNonline/Orillia)
