A Multi-Year Renovation Plan Aim to Secure The Auditorium's Future
Story by Robyn Saxberg, Photo by TbayAlive
Andrew Edwards still feels the impact after a year as acting general manager of the venue formerly known as the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium and now known simply as The Auditorium. “I still get chills every single time I walk on that stage,” he says.
A lifelong musician and concert-goer, Edwards says multiple internationally and nationally renowned artists have told him it is one of the best venues in Canada. When Anthrax played The Auditorium in February, the band was touring hockey arenas with Megadeth. Edwards says guitarist and founder Scott Ian was struck by the room: warm and comfortable, unlike the cold arenas on the rest of the tour.
Edwards sees how The Auditorium’s programming has grown beyond the ballet and symphonies the building was designed for. He calls the mix of local and touring acts “the secret sauce that makes this place work. […] In a week, you can have a rock show, a comedian, the symphony orchestra, and end with a film festival." He calls it “one of the best-sounding acoustic rooms” in the country, and is passionate about the importance of protecting it. He and his team share the vision for a new name and a multi-year renovation plan.
The name change grew out of a funding problem, Edwards explains. “We’ve run into challenges trying to get grant funding where there were misconceptions that we were part of the City of Thunder Bay. We’ve been turned down for multiple grants because of that. The Auditorium has never been a city department. It is a registered charity that leases the building from the city and is responsible for all operating costs, capital renewal, and maintenance.”
“Dropping ‘community’ from the name does not mean stepping back from it,” Edwards adds. The Auditorium works with local charities and organizations to create accessible or free tickets where possible.
The building structure also needs work. Edwards points to significant capital renewal needs, including heating, ventilation and air conditioning, lighting, and other core systems.
He says the lobby and bars are too small, and there is no proper catering room or appropriate space for the VIP experiences most touring artists now require. “Even when we have local events, we're bursting at the seams. Hospitality is the most important thing that we can do for guests and artists alike.” The goal is to keep events running, though some shutdowns are likely.
Challenges remain, from inflation and at-home entertainment keeping audiences at home to tour routing and being a small city. When asked how the community can help, Edwards points to open conversation. “We actively encourage people to ask questions and to understand the challenges we face," he says.
Edwards expects the project to take five to seven years, and his goal for the future is simple. “We want this place to be here for our children and their children.” For the next 40 years, and beyond.
For more information, visit tbca.com.
