Halifax city staff to recommend demolishing Shakespeare by the Sea building

HALIFAX – A popular Halifax theatre company could soon have a big set change.

Shakespeare by the Sea’s building at Point Pleasant Park was the site of a suspicious fire back in June. Some of their equipment was damaged and their season was put in jeopardy.

“We ended up cancelling a series of shows that we would normally perform in here,” said co-artistic director Jesse MacLean. “The greatest impact is that we lose revenue from that and people that wanted to come see the show can’t see the show.”

The fire also prompted council to take a closer look at the city-owned building.

While most of Shakespeare by the Sea’s performances are held outdoors, the troupe was using the building for rehearsals, as an office and as a rain venue.

City staff are set to present a report to council on Tuesday, suggesting the 45-year-old building be demolished.

According to the report, renovating the building to make it suitable as a theatre and up to code would cost $600,000. Staff recommend replacing it with a new 8,000-square foot multi-purpose facility, which Shakespeare by the Sea could be part of. It’s estimated the building would cost $2.4 million to build.

“I see it as a great thing for the future of Shakespeare by the Sea,” said co-founder Elizabeth Murphy. “It’s been 21 years and we have another 21 years. If Halifax grows and Shakespeare by the Sea continues to grow, it’s a win-win situation.”

Murphy says she hopes the city will choose to keep the current building open while decisions are made about constructing a new facility.

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Local councillor Waye Mason fully supports building a new arts facility but he also wonders why the current building can’t remain for the time being.

“Can we use that space as an office and storage? Is it possible to spend a modest amount of money to get a theatre audience back in there while we move toward the bigger building? I think that’s something we need to explore more.”

Murphy and MacLean plan to be at the council meeting on Tuesday to hear staff present the report and say they look forward to working with the city on the project.