A fresh new look for the Sarnia Library Theatre was unveiled during a ribbon cutting ceremony Friday.
A $160,000 renovation of the nearly 50-year-old theatre, funded by Lambton County, began in July and wrapped up earlier this month.
Lambton Cultural Services General Manager Andrew Meyer said they wanted to improve the site's accessibility, among other things.
"We have brand new seating, we've taken out the old carpet and put in new epoxy, there's new carpeted aisle ways with integrated LED lighting, we've painted the space, and we created a chase up to the control room," said Meyer. "We also wanted to create a space where a table could be set up at the back so that people could control lighting or sound within the theatre, we have upgraded lighting that was accomplished last year for the stage, and the house lighting has all been updated as well."
Meyer said the modified seating allows a number of chairs to be removed, including the first two rows of seating, for wheelchairs, soundboard tables, and other uses.
He said the space now seats 306 people down from 364, and that the theatre is more comfortable and modern for users.
"We have broader aisle-width for accessibility, the seats themselves are slightly wider as well, so just a general upgrade of the space with accessibility in mind and efficiency with the lighting as well," he said. "It's just a phenomenal cultural space, a real multi-use centre, and we're just sort of breathing some new life into the original concept and it's nice to see it come together."
Meyers said the site gets a lot of use year after year.
"In 2018 there was over 2,000 hours booked for the theatre and the adjacent meeting rooms, which represented about 26,000 people through the space between meeting uses and concerts, presentations, that sort of thing. So it's a very intensely utilized space and that was part of the impetus to look at it again."
Meyers said the City of Sarnia, the owners of the site, are undertaking their own renovation plans beginning next week.
"They are looking at upgrading the accessible washrooms here on the second floor for the theatre users, they're making changes to the main entrance to the building on the lower floor as well, so some really exciting changes happening over the next few months which will wrap up in February or March of next year."
Meyers said the theatre will remain open during those renovations.
Baird AE Architecture & Engineering and Aveiro Constructors Ltd helped with the build.
Meyers said Aveiro was under a bit of pressure to have the project complete for a wedding scheduled shortly after reopening.
