{"id":9708,"date":"2026-01-23T15:38:58","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T19:38:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.qccrfm.com\/news\/?p=9708"},"modified":"2026-01-23T15:42:09","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T19:42:09","slug":"liverpools-astor-theatre-to-get-3-million-in-improvements","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.qccrfm.com\/news\/2026\/01\/23\/liverpools-astor-theatre-to-get-3-million-in-improvements\/","title":{"rendered":"Liverpool’s Astor Theatre to get $3 million in improvements"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"

The historic Astor Theatre in Liverpool will undergo a multi-year facelift. (Rick Conrad \/ File photo)<\/p><\/div>\n

The building that houses the Astor Theatre in Liverpool will get more than $1 million in upgrades this year, as part of a two-year, $3-million plan to modernize the historic building.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Region of Queens owns the Town Hall Arts and Cultural Centre and leases it to the Astor Theatre Society.<\/span><\/p>\n

Municipal councillors recently approved spending $1,050,000 this year and another $2,079,000 next year to install modern heating and cooling systems, air conditioning and long-delayed accessibility improvements.<\/span><\/p>\n

Eric Goulden, chairman of the Astor Theatre Society, says he\u2019s excited and grateful that the work is going ahead.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll of these improvements are needed to update a 125-year-old building to today\u2019s standards. \u2026 Most people don\u2019t realize how busy we are and how much it\u2019s needed to have a common point for people to get together and enjoy entertainment, but also learn and experience various crafts and meetings and that sort of thing. The vibe is very positive.<\/span><\/p>\n

“We’re very, very pleased with the direction that we’re going in. We think that the next two years are going to be very positive for the Astor Theatre and a lot of the improvements that have been long overdue are going to take place.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The Astor is limited in what it can offer in the warmer summer months, because the facility has only ceiling fans for cooling and air circulation in the theatre.<\/span><\/p>\n

The region hired DSRA Architecture to detail what the building needs to improve operations and meet modern building codes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The region plans to upgrade the facility\u2019s electrical supply and install a modern HVAC system, including heat pumps, that will allow the theatre to maintain comfortable temperatures year-round.<\/span><\/p>\n

It also plans to install a platform lift so that people with mobility issues can access the second floor.<\/span><\/p>\n

The washrooms will also be upgraded to comply with provincial requirements for accessibility and universality.<\/span><\/p>\n

A new fire escape will be installed from the second-floor balcony, which will allow for wheelchair-accessible seating upstairs.<\/span><\/p>\n

And the backstage area will be expanded by 765 square feet to allow more room for storage, a workshop and dressing rooms.<\/span><\/p>\n

The architects also said the building’s insulation needs to be upgraded for better energy efficiency and to protect the wood structure from humidity. So far, that has not been included in the planned work.<\/p>\n

Goulden says that the upgrades will allow the Astor to offer more to its patrons at any time of year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe can’t do reliable programming in the summertime because of the lack of air conditioning, the lack of proper ventilation in the theatre. So it will give us at least another two months of programming that we can do in the summertime.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He said the theatre is also shopping for a new movie projector to enhance its film offerings.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMovies are going to be a big part of our growth. <\/span>We will probably be the best movie experience on the South Shore.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Councillors unanimously approved the work. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI just have to say that I’m excited to see actually a plan for the updates at the Astor,” District 4 Coun. Vicki Amirault said. “It’s been a long time coming. \u2029So I’m very grateful for it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Mayor Scott Christian said the Astor board will continue to look for grants and other funding to try to offset some of the cost for municipal taxpayers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Representatives from the municipality and the Astor plan to meet early next week to discuss the upgrades.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m really quite excited about the future,” Goulden said. “A lot of good things happening at the Astor.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Here’s a breakdown of the work planned at the Astor:<\/p>\n

Year 1 (2026\/27 fiscal year):<\/p>\n