City celebrates upgrades to façade of downtown theatre

Theatre re-launches as The OV Arts Centre

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed June 17, 2021 10:00 AM

Summary

After five months of construction, the City of Nanaimo is pleased to announce that upgrades to the exterior of the theatre at 25 Victoria Road are now complete. The renovations to the exterior of the theatre were part of a multi-year plan to undertake improvements at the City-owned building. The scope of work included new brickwork and new lighting, among other improvements, which will help enhance the theatre’s neighbourhood presence and make it a more welcoming and inviting venue. The Nicol Street façade of the building was restored in 2014.

The City of Nanaimo co-manages the building with the Harbour City Theatre Alliance Society, who has run the small community performing art space since 2014. In conjunction with the completion of this construction project, the Society has revealed a new brand identity and will resume activity this summer, according to COVID safety guidelines, under the name The OV Arts Centre. The shift points to a desire to serve a broader cross-section of the community and to create opportunities in an expanded range of artistic disciplines. As part of this change, Lauren Semple has taken on the role of General Manager, replacing Dean Chadwick who has retired.

Making arts and culture visible and accessible is identified as a priority in the City’s plans, and the infrastructure upgrade at The OV Arts Centre is one of the ways the City is ensuring that facilities are available for the creation, preservation and presentation of arts and culture.

Link to Strategic Plan: The City of Nanaimo's Strategic Plan identifies livability and economic health as priorities; this investment connects to the City's focus on community infrastructure, its commitment to supporting arts, culture and recreation as an integral part of everyday life, and the City's commitment to creating a vibrant culture of innovation, stewardship and partnership to encourage a diverse and healthy economy.

Key Points

After five months of construction, the City of Nanaimo is pleased to announce that upgrades to the exterior of the theatre at 25 Victoria Road are now complete. The renovations to the exterior of the theatre were part of a multi-year plan to undertake improvements at the City-owned building.
The City of Nanaimo co-manages the building with the Harbour City Theatre Alliance Society, who has run the small community performing art space since 2014.
In conjunction with the completion of this construction project, the Society has revealed a new brand identity and will resume activity this summer, according to COVID safety guidelines, under the name The OV Arts Centre.

Quotes

"The completion of these exterior improvements at one of the City’s cultural facilities is well-timed, as we look to the recovery of our community post-COVID and more opportunities to come together. This is one of several great projects the City has undertaken over the course of the pandemic to improve and refresh our facilities and aligns with our commitment to be a responsible steward of public assets."

Leonard Krog

Mayor

City of Nanaimo

Images

The OV Arts Centre at 25 Victoria Road, Nanaimo

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Contact:

For media enquiries, please contact

Communications

City of Nanaimo

250-754-4251

Media.Requests@nanaimo.ca

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