Theatre Operational & Equipment Audit suggestions

Hello Controlbooth
On behalf of a friend.

They have been asked to by the school the theatre is located in Toronto Ontario to find 2 or preferably 3 companies to perform an operational and equipment audit on the theatre with the goal of creating a 15 to 20 year plan for equipment maintenance / replacement plan across the space (audio / lighting / rigging / seating / infrastructure / / tension grid).

They are already planning on reaching out to Novita, a Toronto based consultancy who were the original consultants on the design and build of the theatre) but we had some challenges coming up with other companies that could quote and perform this work.

This seems a little out of the scope of the supplier / rental houses in the City (Christie Lites, Solotech, etc) due to the wide scope of work. Should they be looking at Theatre Consultants who have access to specialists in the various areas they can bring together to complete the audit? And if so… suggestions for Consultants who work in the Ontario area are appreciated.

Many thanks!
Steven
 
Hello Controlbooth
On behalf of a friend.

They have been asked to by the school the theatre is located in Toronto Ontario to find 2 or preferably 3 companies to perform an operational and equipment audit on the theatre with the goal of creating a 15 to 20 year plan for equipment maintenance / replacement plan across the space (audio / lighting / rigging / seating / infrastructure / / tension grid).

They are already planning on reaching out to Novita, a Toronto based consultancy who were the original consultants on the design and build of the theatre) but we had some challenges coming up with other companies that could quote and perform this work.

This seems a little out of the scope of the supplier / rental houses in the City (Christie Lites, Solotech, etc) due to the wide scope of work. Should they be looking at Theatre Consultants who have access to specialists in the various areas they can bring together to complete the audit? And if so… suggestions for Consultants who work in the Ontario area are appreciated.

Many thanks!
Steven
@BryceKastor Novita recently completed a similar long term (40 year) assessment for your city covering all the major theatres: Okeefe Centre (whatever it's called currently) St. Lawrence, the major concert hall, the Ford Centre next to Mel's Bellz, yada, yada, etcetera. You COULD contact Engineering Harmonics (as they'll be affiliated with others) but perhaps you might contact Carl Lukings, the brains behind London, Ontario's Horizon Solutions. Carl operates with a number of associates as well. I haven't heard much of JOEL rigging of late, they may no longer be in operation.
Toodleoo!
Ron Hebbard
 
Thank you Gentlemen for the suggestions. I'll pass these along to my friend.

Joel is definitely still in operation... they installed and maintain the Vortek system in my theatre and they are still very active across Canada with installations and maintenance. They've saved my behind a couple of times when a motor has failed. Unfortunately they took the "you don't need a grid" pitch hook line and sinker... 40' articulated lift every time something needs to happen!
They would be good for tension grid inspections... but I think my friend already has another company doing yearly inspections.

All the best!
Steven
 
This is definitely a job for a consultant, but make sure it begins with the theater owner and/or operator being clear what their intentions are for the next 20 years...will it be more of the same? Do they want to move into new types of entertainment (spectacle, eSports, immersive experiences, etc.)? Has their current system ever let them down in any way? Have they been renting ancillary equipment on a regular basis and, if so, should purchasing that gear be part of the plan? They may discover that they need an "infrastructure upgrade plan" as much as an equipment plan....best wishes, m
 
I've done many of these assessments. I'd be interested. Please PM me.
My firm has experience in all of the aspects of interest (safety, audio, acoustics, lighting, image display, rigging, facility design, ADA, power, structural, community facing concerns, internal operations, etc.).
 

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