Preparing the Park for the future

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This article was published 30/11/2018 (2505 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The owner of The Park Theatre is preparing the iconic venue for its third act.

An extensive exterior renovation has taken down the stucco facade and landmark marquee of the theatre at 698 Osborne St. to make way for a refreshed, contemporary design.

Erick Casselman, The Park Theatre’s owner, expects the renovations to be complete by mid-December.

“It was something I really wanted to do when I first purchased the building and for the past five years I’ve been planning out how I wanted it to look and feel,” Casselman told The Sou’wester.

When Casselman took possession of the building in 2005, the exterior had not been significantly updated since the 1980s, he said, and was a palette of pastel pink, green and purples. A new coat of paint had to suffice for the time, as he focused attention on interior renovations and bookings for the century-old community venue.  

When contractors wrap up their work, Casselman said the exterior of the Park will be reminiscent of some of the most popular live music venues across North America while maintaining a distinct identity. Wood panelling will distinguish the building against its bricked and stuccoed neighbours while also standing up to the elements of being on a busy thoroughfare.

Casselman joked inspiration for the choice of material may have struck after contemplating a Jim Beam bourbon display and its oak panelling.

“My original thought was to go brick, but that was just too cost prohibitive, especially for the sides of the building and how much surface area there is,” Casselman said. “When we started removing the stucco, I found brick underneath but unfortunately it was in such poor condition and crumbling that I couldn’t save that.”

Casselman said performers and patrons alike are often surprised by the interior of the theatre, and he wanted the most high profile elements of the Park to complement the upgrades in the lobby.

“I honestly think people will be really pleased with it when it’s all said and done. It’s a neighbourhood that I believe in and am invested in. I really want to continue to help grow the businesses around it,” he said.

The marquee — which had become a bit of a hazard to update when new acts were appearing  — will be replaced with digital signage, and the blinking light fixture that called PARK to passersby will also return in an energy-efficient fashion.

“I think it has a really cool, classic contemporary look that’s going to be hopefully timeless and continue cleaning up the street to make it look that much better,” he said.

Casselman, who is also chair of the South Osborne Business Improvement Zone, estimated the renovation will represent a $250,000 investment in the property. The facelift wasn’t just cosmetic either, he noted.  

“When we started taking down the letters we realized that it was only being held on by a single bolt and a ton of rust.”   

While the wood panelling design has been criticized by some for doing away with the art-deco stylings, Casselman believes the refreshed look will help usher the theatre into the next 100 years.

“There’s no real way to make money off an exterior renovation. I’m doing it more because of my vested interest in the neighbourhood and my love for the building,” he said.

“I’m trying to build something that’s iconic and accessible and something that’s going to be great for the city.”