The Citadel Theatre just got a late Christmas gift; a $4 million gift from the Government of Alberta and The Citadel Theatre Renewal Project. Part of capital funding in the Budget 2023 Capital Plan, the money will provide needed upgrades and improvements to the aging building.
“The funds will be put towards capital infrastructure costs. We are really delighted, as this building has long needed this level of support," said Sarah Pocklington, Executive Director of The Citadel Theatre.
Built in three phases in the 1970s and 80s, The Citadel Theatre maintains and operates a massive (170,000 sq ft) facility in Edmonton’s Downtown Arts District, in which over 100,000 community members visit in a standard year. As such, the Citadel Theatre is facing multiple and ongoing issues related to ageing, failing infrastructure that is almost 40 years old.
Some of the planned projects include flooring replacement, elevator upgrades, replacing window glazing and skylights and mechanical systems. Improving accessibility means renovations to washrooms and adding stairlifts to increase accessibility for patrons, staff and artists. There will also be renovations to the flexible hospitality venue (restaurant space on the facility's main floor).
The Citadel's total budget for the renos is almost $17 million. Pocklington says once other funding is in place, the renovations will move ahead.
