Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of Ottawa has temporarily closed Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe and cancelled all scheduled bookings through the end of the year following water infiltration during the July 1 storms.
In a memo delivered to the mayor and city council on July 30, Dan Chenier, general manager of Ottawa’s recreation, cultural and facility services department, reported that water entering the facility caused considerable damage across multiple specialized spaces. Affected areas and assets include the main theatre stage, orchestra pit, front rows of seating, studio theatre, lower studio, lobby, flooring, and a grand piano.
A final price tag for the restoration work has not yet been established.
“Due to the specialized nature of the theatre spaces and equipment, damage assessment is taking some time to complete and is ongoing,” Chenier stated in the memo. “A timeline for development of a restoration plan, and its completion has not yet been determined.”
City staff are actively contacting clients to cancel all performances, events, and venue rentals scheduled through to the end of the year. Full refunds are being issued to ticket holders and rental clients. Staff are also offering assistance to help displaced clients relocate events to alternative municipal venues, such as the Shenkman Arts Centre.
The status of performances and facility bookings scheduled beyond December will be reassessed this fall as restoration planning advances.
“We recognize that this temporary closure is disappointing for patrons, staff, artists, and supporters,” Chenier said. “Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe is an important cultural facility that contributes to the City of Ottawa’s arts sector, and staff are working to restore operations as quickly as possible.”
