MONEY FOR THE SAVOY
Government money will help renovate historic Savoy Theatre
Major reconstruction underway at Glace Bay theatre.
A major reconstruction of the Savoy Theatre is underway, with the help of $2.93 million in funding from the federal and provincial governments.
The funding was formally announced at a press conference at the 91-year-old Glace Bay theatre Friday by Cape BretonCanso MP Rodger Cuzner and Glace Bay MLA Geoff MacLellan, both Glace Bay natives.
“This is going right back to the bones of this facility,” Cuzner said.
The federal money includes $1 million from Canadian Heritage, while the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency contributed $950,000. The provincial funding of $980,000 came from the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage.
“This building is 91 years old, it’s never been insulated, which is why if you’re sitting in Row M in the theatre on either side and it’s raining out, you get wet because the water comes right in on you,” Savoy manager Pam Leader said, adding the renovations will improve the experience of performers and audience members alike.
Because the work will be done in phases, it’s difficult to say precisely how long it will take, she said.
Project manager Ken Baker noted it will also take place around the Savoy’s scheduled shows.
“If they need a show and I can move my way out and back in without too much trouble, I work for the Savoy so I know how badly they want to do these shows,” Baker said.
Mechanical and architectural contracts have been awarded and some work is already underway. It’s hoped the electrical
contract will be out to tender within the next two weeks.
The north side of the building was renovated a few years ago, he said, and this new work will tackle the east, west and south sections.
The mechanical work will include replacing the building’s steam boiler with three new heat pumps with a backup boiler to provide extra heat for the dressing rooms, Baker said. Cuzner recalled taking in Saturday afternoon matinees at the Savoy and noted its stage has featured internationally renowned artists including the White Stripes, Leonard Cohen, Gordon Lightfoot and Sammy Davis Jr. as well as providing opportunities for local artists to hone their skills and inspire younger performers.
Both Cuzner and MacLellan paid tribute to the volunteers and ushers — who were out in force for Friday’s announcement — for making audience members feel so welcome.
Finances remain a challenge, but the people involved with the theatre are determined to see it continue operating, MacLellan said.
“It runs really on shoestrings — it runs on volunteers, it runs on the yeoman’s work of the staff, Pam, the board and every year was a struggle,” said MacLellan, who has also served on the Savoy’s board.
Board member Sonny MacDougall noted they took a careful look at the theatre’s operation within the past few years and realized the business model didn’t work.
“We relied so heavily, from an operational point of view on subsidies from CBRM, we wouldn’t be here without
them,” he said, adding they also received assistance from the other levels of government but they couldn’t depend on those grants continuing to grow.
Leader noted the theatre changed direction in the past couple of years and now 80 per cent of its shows are self-produced.
Much of the work that will take place at the theatre won’t be seen by the public because it is structural or deals with the building’s energy efficiency, MacDougall said. There will also be improvements to the sound and lighting systems and cosmetic work in areas such as bathrooms.
Significant savings are expected in heating, electrical and water costs as a result of the work.
“This building is 91 years old, it’s never been insulated, which is why if you’re sitting in Row M in the theatre on either side and it’s raining out, you get wet because the water comes right in on you.” Savoy manager Pam Leader