By Cecilia Nasmith
Victoria Hall should be reopening its doors to the Concert Hall – with certain protocols, such as masking, social distancing and proof of vaccination – on Nov. 1.
That was the vote of Cobourg council at Monday's committee-of-the-whole meeting, following presentations by five different interested groups.
“It has been too long without our being able to visit this historic building, and it has been too long since we, the Victoria Hall Volunteers, have met face-to-face to make plans and move forward,” Leona Woods said.
The hall's 160th anniversary, for example, will be celebrated by the group with a big May 14 extravaganza.
“The public will be able to return home, if you like. They will see we are in the new normal, and this will be very helpful as we promote our fundraisers in 2022.”
Carla Jones of the Cobourg and District Historical Society thanked council again for their in-kind gift of offering the Citizen's Forum for their in-person meetings – the last one of which was in February 2020.
With new capacity restrictions, she said, the meetings that draw 40 to 100 people will overflow the Citizen's Forum, and she asked if they might utilize Concert Hall space occasionally.
Jeff Halligan and Joel Varty of the Victorian Operetta Society said that the large-scale theatrical productions they bring to the community (such as Guys and Dolls and White Christmas) are missed. But financing for those amazing shows depends on ticket revenue to recoup what might typically be a $60,000 cost.
With plans for another big show in November 2022, they are hoping capacity limits might allow sufficient ticket sales – and would like clarity on such issues as who has responsibility to check vaccination certificates, VOS volunteers or concert hall staff?
Ross Pigeau of Film Access Northumberland said his relatively new group is hoping to be able to access the Concert Hall for their June 2022 weekend film festival.
“It has the prestige and the space and the capacity for such an event,” he said.
Jack Boyagian of Northumberland Players said the Concert Hall's closure due to COVID-19 was “not just the closure of a performing arts centre but the postponement of planning for the arts events in the town.”
The motion called for the costs of reopening not to exceed $2,500 – which will restock the bar.
Deputy Director of Community Services Teresa Behan said two of the three former Concert Hall staff will be available to return to work.
The Nov. 1 event which will kick off the reopening will be the swearing in of the new Deputy Police Chief - “and then probably a few Christmas things, sort of a soft opening before 2022,” Behan said.
The new capacity limit will be 160, she continued. And for the time being, she expects staff will inspect vaccination credentials.
“And I would suggest you still would be masked when you come in, and you would have to have your vaccine to go to any event in the Concert Hall.”
