As she eyed the peeling paint on the faded walls of the tired-looking Rotary Aqua Theatre while addressing those in the aged, uncomfortable bleacher seats, Alison Braun could see, in her mind’s eye, a revitalized facility that could aptly showcase this community’s vibrant arts scene.
“We are here today to unveil our plan for the future of this beautiful structure,” Braun said Saturday as she and Rotary Club of Orillia members launched a fund-raising campaign to revitalize the popular lakeside venue.
“Maybe it’s not so beautiful right now,” she acknowledged, referencing the curling flakes of paint and the letters of the sign that have been “coming down one letter at a time” in recent months. “We are hoping to make it beautiful again.”
The Rotary Club’s ambitious plans include structural improvements, a new design to improve aesthetics, a new sound and lighting system, new moulded stadium-style seats and back-stage facilities for performers.
Braun is hoping to tap into the community’s love for the facility – just as her forebears in the Rotary Club did 60 years ago.
“In 1958, the original Rotary Club of Orillia got tremendous community support to build this,” said Braun. “It’s my understanding the entire community donated something; it was a tremendous fundraising effort. We’re hoping to duplicate that over the next couple of years.”
Two of the Rotarians involved in that original campaign, Don and Cliff Whitfield, were in the bleachers Saturday. Their father, Cowden Whitfield, was one of the driving forces behind the creation of the Aqua Theatre.
The Whitfield family’s legacy was applauded by Braun, who noted the Rotary Club recently planted cedar trees at the top of the hill in front of the facility to commemorate their efforts.
“It’s called the Whitfield hedge and it is there to honour Cliff and Don Whitfield, proud members of the Rotary Club of Orillia, who were active in 1958,” said Braun. “Their father, Cowden, who was named Orillia’s citizen of the year that year, spearheaded the fundraising initiative to make this happen.”
Simcoe North MP Bruce Stanton also recognized the Whitfield family at the 60th anniversary celebration of the Aqua Theatre.
“This is a tremendous facility that has been a place for entertaining Orillians and visitors alike for six decades,” said Stanton. “It’s a terrific asset to Couchiching Beach Park and the city. Rotary has been the key sponsor of this amazing asset. I know Don (Whitfield) is a past district governor … it’s great to see the benefits of Rotary in our community.”
While the Rotary Club is driving the rejuvenation of the facility – the idea came from Rotarian Allan Lafontaine, who is now the managing director of the Orillia District Chamber of Commerce – they aren’t alone.
Several times it was noted how integral support from the municipality has been to the project.
“Since we first began discussing renewal of this facility, council and staff have been right there to help,” said Lafontaine, calling it “a sign of the great city we have.”
He said “it’s time again to get together, to fund raise, to bring this building back to what it should be and leave it for future generations so that we can all enjoy it for years to come.”
City council agrees, noted Mayor Steve Clarke.
“The city has indeed partnered with the Rotary Club ... and will continue to do so,” said Clarke, noting city staff recently erected a new, temporary banner to replace the sign on the facade and to trumpet the 60th anniversary of the facility. “This is one of the iconic places within the city. We need to recognize that and keep it alive.”
City council approved $225,000 for structural work in 2018 and committed to a further $225,000 next year.
“I want to thank mayor and council. They have bee tremendously supportive of us, allowing us to participate in the visioning and planning process,” said Braun. “We so appreciate being able to sit at the table with the City of Orillia and work in partnership on these things.”
Lafontaine said everyone benefits when groups work together.
“From an economic standpoint, supporting the arts is vital to our community as investors and, really, our young imports into the community are really looking for a community that is rich in arts and culture,” he said. “By renewing this facility, we will have that opportunity, not just for music but plays” and much more.
If you would like to donate to the fund-raising campaign, you can drop money into the giant jar at the Rotary Train Station at Couchiching Beach Park. Or, you can go online to gofundme.com/rotary-aqua-theatre
