Moncton’s Capitol Theatre getting $1.8M in upgrades, managing director to retire

Moncton’s Capitol Theatre is getting $1.8 million for upgrades over the next two years.

Moncton’s historic Capitol Theatre will be receiving close to $2 million in upgrades over the next two years.

According to a news release from the Capitol, infrastructure improvements will include:

• replacing four roof sections and five rooftop air handling units
• the drainage system will be updated
• new LED panels will be installed on the marquee
• other repairs and replacements

The 103-year-old New Brunswick theatre will also receive LED lighting for the lobby and main stage, stage drapes, a projector and a stage monitoring soundboard.

Kim Rayworth, managing director of the Capitol Theatre, said the upgrades and specialized equipment will breathe new life into the Main Street venue and are badly needed.

“They’re not projects that are super forward-facing or that the patrons might realize that the roof is in need of repair, but these are critical operations that could pose critical operations failures if they were not maintained and upkept,” said Rayworth.

The Capitol House, the theatre’s additional creation space located at the back of the building, will also be getting infrastructure upgrades.

The total cost will be more than $1,845,000.

The federal government is spending $500,000 on the project, the City of Moncton is contributing $209,000, and the Capitol Theatre will provide the rest of the money needed.

“Those funds are raised through a ticket levy that we apply to every ticket sold here, $4.50 is set aside in a capital improvement fund, which provides us with the funds to go out and apply for funds from other public partners,” said Rayworth.

The upgrades and new equipment are necessary, she said, because it’s important to preserve the heritage of the building and to continue the venue’s great reputation.

Rayworth called the Capitol a “state-of-the-art performing arts centre” that is a beacon to touring artists across the country.

The project began in the spring and is scheduled to conclude in March 2027.

After more than a decade as managing director, Rayworth recently announced her retirement, saying it is time to pass the baton to new leadership.

She’s been a member of the team since 2009 and before that she was on the board of directors for 10 years.

“I’ve had a really great history with the theatre and I’ve loved every minute of it. I just felt the time was right to leave while I still feel energetic and I still love coming to work,” she said. “You know, leave the party before the party leaves you, I guess.”

Her retirement isn’t effective until after the 2025/2026 programming season concludes, so she still has several months left before she leaves for good. She says she will be teary-eyed when she does.

“I will miss the audiences and their reactions to the live performances that they get to see here in this beautiful hall. We really are so fortunate to serve the Greater Moncton area. We receive over 100,000 visitors each year,” she said.

Rayworth will also miss working with the staff of about 15 full-time people and 40 to 60 part-timers.

“I will miss that but, I’ll get to enjoy it as an audience member, so I’ll still get to have that feeling.”

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