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Of course, much of what needed to go went. The number of chairs was reduced slightly to accommodate the new, wider, comfier ones. The entire A/V system was overhauled and now sports a new Meyer (no relation) sound system. And accessi- bility has improved with a new elevator that reaches every floor in the podium of the building.
The renovation also focused on sustain- ability and an upgraded HVAC system, more-efficient LED lights, and a solar array on the building’s exterior could help the theatre use between 40 and 45 per cent less energy than it used to.
“We view this building as a bit of a laboratory,” Dumouchel says. “About how far you can take these old buildings in terms of making them modern, in terms of their footprint and in terms of the amenities and services they offer.”
When it was built, Dumouchel says the Horowitz was the cutting edge of where Edmonton was. Now, he expects it to be an ideal venue for student life and touring artists of all kinds.
Shortly after its re-opening, the Horowitz hosted a performance from Tegan and Sara. Since then, it’s hosted Letterkenny and a live concert featuring the music
of the independent video game Stardew Valley (which sold out). This month, students will be back in classes and using the theatre for movie nights and orien- tation. Of course, those same election forums will be back later in the year — minusthewaterballoons.ED.
42 EDify. SEPTEMBER.24