The familiar Roxy sign — or a shiny new version of it — was installed on July 12 atop its iconic haunt at the corner of 107 Avenue and 124 Street.
Since its memorable fall during a devastating fire in 2015, which destroyed the original 1938 movie house almost in its entirety, Theatre Network Society has been raising funds to ensure its new $12 million project is completed in time for performances to commence in early 2022. And it is just shy of that goal, with more than $11.3 million raised so far.
"Theatre Network is humbled to return this piece of Edmonton history with help from our friends at Group2 Architecture and Interior Design, Chandos Construction, and City Image Signs," said artistic and executive director Bradley Moss. "We look forward to our, and Edmonton's, future in The New Roxy."
The construction of The New Roxy signifies an exciting time, in what will be a different, post-COVID era for the local arts ecology.
The Roxy is also a rare instance among other arts buildings in the city — fixes to the Citadel's leaky roof aside, Edmonton's stage community hasn't seen anything remotely close to a brand new building since the major overhaul of the Varscona Theatre in 2017, and an independently owned one at that.
Most other performance centres are operated but not owned by their main artistic residents, like both the Citadel and the Varscona.