The Rotary Club of Orillia has big plans for the 60-year-old Aqua Theatre, and city council is on board.
Rotarian Alison Braun made a presentation to council Monday night, displaying photos of the lakeside stage over the years, when the park was packed with visitors.
“This is what we want to get back to — thousands of people out enjoying fresh air and whatever musical act is playing there,” she said.
“It’s about community. It’s about music and bringing that music back to the Aqua Theatre more frequently.”
Photos of the structure in its heyday contrasted with the more recent images. The lettering across the top of the band shell currently reads “Orillia heatre,” as some of it has worn away.
“You can see this wonderful gem we have in the park is in need of some TLC. That’s what brings me here today,” Braun told council.
She showed up Monday night with a wish list. She wants Rotary to be “a formal part of the visioning process.” Also, she was seeking permission for the club to hold fundraisers in the park, which it hopes to start within a couple of weeks.
The club also wanted the go-ahead to create a temporary banner that would cover the faded lettering, and a plaque honouring the Rotarians who did the initial fundraising 60 years ago.
“They went door to door to door asking the community for funds,” Braun explained. “It was such an amazing exercise.”
Also on the list of requests was that the club be permitted to plant trees to provide a “visual distraction” between the Aqua Theatre and the adjacent water-treatment plant.
The club hopes to officially unveil all of its plans and progress during the Civic Holiday weekend in August, during the annual Rotary-Lions FunFest.
The club has solicited feedback on its plans, and the response has been largely positive.
“I did receive one email saying the Aqua Theatre should be blown up, but I discounted that,” Braun said.
Coun. Ted Emond was concerned about whether it was wise for council to support the club’s request to hold fundraising activities on the property without council knowing what, specifically, the club had planned.
City CAO Gayle Jackson said the Rotary club and the parks, recreation and culture department are working together and that staff have the authority to approve all of the club’s requests. If the club and staff disagree on anything, or if staff feel any of the plans need council approval, it can come back for council consideration, Jackson said.
