Bank Theatre fulfills dream acquisition

The 101st show of Dale’s Last Friday Coffee House — the 2021-2022 season finale — welcomed a surprise reveal at The Bank Theatre on Friday, May 19.

Sound engineer and vice-president John Moran gave a brief synopsis about a project The Bank Theatre had been working on for a few years.

“To us, this is very, very special,” said Moran. “In talking about the reveal for the project the night before at the board meeting, treasurer Katherine Albuquerque mentioned the title sponsorship plaques on the proscenium walls which say ‘Everyone’s Stage’. Now it finally is ‘Everyone’s Stage’.”

Bank Theatre president Corey Robertson, who was also hosting the show, went on to say “This is a project that is near and dear to our hearts. So many people, volunteers, donors, past board and members, including Ursula Tiessen, Dennis Dick and Rick Taves to name a few, have led the way with this project. We thought we were ready to go with it in 2020 and then COVID hit, with closures and then supply chain issues.”

Robertson went on to say that the acquisition makes The Bank Theatre very unique.

“We are very excited to say that this stage is now truly accessible and one of the only stages insouthwestern Ontario, and indeed one of very few throughout the province,” he said. “This new wheelchair lift will make the stage truly accessible to everyone.”

With that, John Moran manually brought out the lift to show the audience. Manager Michelle Fortier demonstrated

John Moran, right, operates the wheelchair stage lift as Michelle Fortier demonstrates how to get onto the stage.

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Proof #1 Proof access #1to the lift with a wheelchair, while John Moran raised the lift to stage height and Michelle maneuvered the wheelchair onto the stage.

New footlights across the front of the stage also act as a safety barrier as the wheelchair rolls out.

The wheelchair lift was funded by the Government of Canada. The grant was made possible with the time and expertise of several people in writing the grant, the Building Committee and the Municipality of Leamington.

The wheelchair lift — purchased from 101 Mobility — weighs 269 pounds, and is lightweight enough to be lifted and moved. It is a manual unit and is easily stored.

The Bank Theatre will also offer its use to other community partners who may be in need and wish to make their stages accessible and barrier-free.

“It is now indeed everyone’s stage,” said Moran.