Oct 26, 2008 - 04:58 PM

Parvaneh Pessian

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OSHAWA -- Hundreds of patrons who flocked to the highly anticipated grand reopening of the Regent Theatre were left in the cold while organizers scrambled to work through last minute snags. 

Crews were putting finishing touches on the building’s construction and several occupancy permit obligations had still not been met as the masses began arriving around 6 p.m. on Saturday. The gala opening was to include a dinner followed by a 7:30 p.m. champagne reception, Oshawa Walk of Fame induction ceremony and a three-act concert performance.

Fire inspectors could be seen criss-crossing the interior to ensure all safety regulations were in place and senior city officials were called in to speed up the process.

By 8:30 p.m. -- the time originally projected as the start of the concert -- workers were still laying carpet in the front hall and vacuuming while a sound check was underway. A sharp scent of fresh paint and carpet glue wafted out into the street each time the doors opened as crews scurried about carrying in food and champagne bottles and workers in hard hats hauled out cleaning equipment.

“There’s been a few unanticipated problems but we’re working through them and very much looking forward to unveiling the theatre,” said Councillor Louise Parks, a long-time champion behind the restoration project, as she joined the crowds outside.

Coun. Parkes said she was already looking ahead to the role that the theatre will play in the city’s cultural growth.

“It’s not restoring a theatre, it’s restoring our pride. The spirit of this community is re-ignited with the Regent Theatre restoration and that’s what’s important,” she said.

Anticipation to see the transformation that lay behind the doors was mounting among guests as they huddled together for warmth on the brisk night.

But many said they didn’t mind the more than two-hour wait before doors were finally opened at about 9 p.m.

“It’s exciting to be a part of the history of Oshawa,” resident Lillian Kraly said. “It reminds me of that excitement and nervousness that comes when you’re planning a wedding and anything can go wrong so it’s understandable.”

For those who have followed the progression of the renovations since they kicked off in March it was worth waiting a while longer if it meant seeing a better product.

“I don’t care how long I have to wait, I’m happy to be here no matter what,” said Nick Romano, who remembers seeing his first show at the theatre. “When you see how many people are here and the interest, it definitely speaks to the passion that people have about seeing this building alive again.”

The Regent was first opened for business in October 1919 showing vaudeville acts and films before eventually closing and being converted to a nightclub. Once a popular site in Oshawa’s downtown, the historic building was neglected for years and suffered an array of damages, including water flooding in from a leaky roof.

On the verge of demolition in 2000, the City declared it a heritage building and launched the Regent Theatre Renewal Project to restore the space for live performances. It was later purchased by theatre promoter Glyn Laverick who shared the dream to mould it into a venue for a variety of acts including musical artists, films and theatrical productions.

A team of professionals -- including an architect, structural engineer and safety consultant – began working intense hours to whip the historic site into shape. 

The last minute loose ends could be attributed to the tight timing of the project, the city’s development services commissioner Tom Hodgins said. The deadline was originally set for Dec. 31, 2008 but Mr. Laverick set what he called a more “aggressive” deadline of Oct. 25 to jumpstart the excitement of getting the venue back on its feet.

“It’s been a very long day but the chief building official has issued occupancy on both areas now and we’re getting on with it,” he said, as people took their seats at last.      

The first act of the night, an energetic Dr. Draw, hit the stage at about 10 p.m., welcoming the audience with their unique sound pounding throughout the room from the crisp sound system
Despite the dragging length of the show, many stayed for the night’s full experience including a celebration of comedy duo Barry Authors and Howard Swinson’s induction into the Oshawa Walk of Fame and performances from Juno-winners David Usher and Leahy.

Guests expressed mostly positive sentiments toward the look of the theatre’s interior but some, like Myrna Simpson, said waiting another month could have made a big difference.

“Once it’s finished, it’ll be a nice,” she said surveying the room where the stage stood in stark contrast to the still unfinished painting and plaster work on some walls and a ladder positioned near the front entrance.

Admitting there was still work to be done, Mr. Laverick said he was impressed with how far the building has come from its state mere months earlier. The main seating area was filled with dirt and rubble after crews jack hammering out several feet of flat concrete floor to create sloped seating for the 723 spots.

Despite the glitches along the way, he said it’s the positive attitudes of the residents that helped push him to work steadfastly toward the “aggressive” time line. 

“It’s lovely to see how supportive they are and how much they want it,” Mr. Laverick said, adding that the results have surpassed his original hopes.

“When you haven’t slept for three days and you’re getting drywall crews in and getting painters and plasterers in to do work, what keeps you going is people saying how great this is going to be and that this is what we need in the city.”