The Bailey Theatre Society

To keep up-to-date on construction and other activities go to the Bailey Blog for news and photos. (The previous blog is now archived, but still available here.)

Recently the Bailey Theatre was approved to receive $2.2 million dollars in federal Tourism Infrastructure money to complete the restoration of the Theatre.

Since last October Construction Manager Bob Read has had between five and ten people a day working in the building. It was a major undertaking to excavate the entire area under the auditorium floor to create over 3,000 square feet of storage space for theatre equipment such as lights and sound equipment, along with space to store seat and tables. New concrete walls and floors were poured after beefing up the foundation throughout the entire building. Steelworkers installed structural support for a motorized rigging system to be installed on the stage. Since then they have framed in most of the offices, box office, washrooms, dressing rooms and storage areas. A new roof was put on the building and the building has been almost fully insulated. Temporary heat will be on over the winter. The mechanical and electrical subcontractors will be installing equipment and wiring over the winter.

Until office space becomes available in the theatre, an office located at 4949-50 Street and can be reached at 780-672-5510 or at info@baileytheatre.com. Even though the theatre is many months from opening it is gaining a great deal of attention. The Bailey office and website has received requests from Charlottetown to Vancouver to Yellowknife from performers and agents wanting to book the theatre.

The Bailey Theatre Society was formed in 1996 as a non-profit society with the intent to restore the Bailey Theatre and provide for its future re-use. Various fundraising campaigns were undertaken including the sale of seats and a benefit performance along with a live and silent auction.

Volunteers repainted the pressed metal walls and ceilings, some structural work was started and the sprinkler system was designed and materials ordered; however, work halted when the money ran out.

The scope of the work was considerably more extensive than was originally thought. The current cost estimate, including construction, fees, contingency and escalation is approximately $7,500,000. An additional $500,000 is being raised for an Endowment Fund to offset possible operating cost deficits for the first 10 years of operation.

The building sat dormant until 2006, when a major benefactor stepped forward with a gift of $1.75 Million and a further contribution of $750,000 to match any private donations from the community. Fundraising efforts are currently underway to raise these remaining matching funds. To attain the remaining capital required, the City of Camrose will contribute $500,000 and additional funding will be sought from the Province of Alberta.

The Bailey Society is active again, with a new Board of Directors, who are preparing for the project to start construction in 2008, in time to celebrate the Bailey's 100th Anniversary. The purpose of the society is to plan and organize the renovation of the Bailey and to be responsible for its ongoing maintenance and upkeep.

Contact us

Bailey Theatre
4949 50 Street, Camrose, AB T4V 1P9