date posted: 2006-02-01
The Town of Richmond Hill is about to embark on the biggest and most exciting project in its history.
The re-development of an entire city block would be a big story in any municipality in Canada; especially a downtown city block. And that’s exactly what we are going to do on the Town owned block of land on Yonge St. in the village core between Richmond St. and Wright St.
Rising on this property will be an exciting, modern, vibrant theatre complex. The main theatre will hold up to 600 people in comfortable seats with excellent sightlines and superior acoustics. It will include a fly-tower, an orchestra pit which will rise and fall on hydraulics; and lobby space suitable for receptions. The stage will accommodate dance, and musical productions as well as theatre.
But that’s not all – there will be a multi-purpose/rehearsal room which can also hold 150 people and be used for programming purposes. The historical Richmond Hill High School will be restored to its original state and incorporated into the theatre complex. It may even include a restaurant or coffee shop.
There will be parking facilities for 250 cars providing much needed parking spaces to downtown businesses and restaurants as well as theatre goers. The rear parking areas and walkways will have pedestrian access to Yonge St. Opportunities to include a commercial component on the site will be considered.
One of the most exciting features of the site will be our Town’s first civic square fronting on Yonge St. The square can be used for outdoor children’s concerts, art displays, or just a meeting place for residents. It will be an interesting, active and comfortable place to visit both in the day as well as at night.
As Chairman of the Project Steering Committee, I am proud of this initiative and the public participation in its development. Design concepts are well underway and can be seen on the Town web-site at www.richmondhill.ca. Look for construction activity to begin this summer.
My vision of people living, working and walking in our village core will be one step closer when the theatre block project is complete and becomes a destination for both residents and visitors to Richmond Hill.