Sunday, April 27, 2025
The Government of Ontario announced it is investing $35 million over three years to support the Shaw Festival’s rebuild of the iconic Royal George Theatre.
“The Shaw Festival is a cultural icon for Ontario and for Canada, and is just one of the many great reasons to visit Niagara-on-the-Lake and the broader Niagara Region throughout the year,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “Our government’s investment will help create hundreds of good jobs, boost the local and regional economy and give Ontarians the opportunity to enjoy world-class performances right here at home.”
In all, the reconstruction of the Royal George Theatre is expected to create 550 new jobs, contribute $80 million in GDP and generate $29 million in government revenues during construction.
The existing Royal George Theatre will close permanently later this year. The rebuild will honour elements of the original building’s design, and will be built to modern standards, including new, accessible lobby and lounge areas for visitors, greater seating capacity, as well as new rehearsal and workspaces. These new spaces will create opportunities for the Shaw Festival to expand learning and outreach programs, offer new performance and education opportunities to community cultural partners and develop new experiences, such as tours, that further encourage visitors to stay longer in the Niagara region.
“Beyond the incredible artistic legacy of this iconic space, The Royal George Theatre generates more than $70 million in economic impact for the region of Niagara every year. Rebuilding this beloved venue has been a priority for us not just so we can continue to deliver outstanding theatre here in the heart of wine country, but to play our part in accelerating the growth of our region as a world-class centre for cultural tourism. We want to thank the Ford government for this truly impactful investment in Niagara’s tourism ecology and for everything they do to support the province of Ontario,” said Tim Jennings, executive director/CEO, Shaw Festival.
The Shaw Festival is one of Canada’s premier cultural organizations and a key tourism driver for the Niagara region. Rebuilding the Royal George Theatre is an integral part of the Shaw Festival’s larger transformation project and is expected to be completed by Spring 2029. The new theatre is expected to include 20 percent more seats, offering the potential to draw more visitors to the Niagara Region annually.
“I am pleased to see this investment from the Government of Ontario in the Shaw Festival. The Shaw Festival is a cornerstone of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s character and a significant contributor to our tourism and economic success. Rebuilding the Royal George Theatre will help sustain local jobs, attract visitors, and strengthen our local economy. This announcement reflects the ongoing advocacy of Town Council and Staff, and we are grateful for the province’s commitment to this significant project,” said Niagara-on-the-Lake Mayor Gary Zalepa.
Featured image: (Government of Ontario)
