Rialto Square Theatre plans theater improvements after getting $1.4 million shuttered venue grant

The Rialto Square Theatre on Tuesday announced planned theater improvements after receiving a $1.4 million grant.

The Rialto plans to use the $1,426,183 to support theater operations while also starting projects that include the replacement of theater seating, remodeling the main rest rooms, and installing new air conditioning.

The funds come from the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program administered by the Small Business Administration’s Office of Disaster Assistance to support the reopening of venues that have been closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Rialto on Aug. 22 staged its first show since the pandemic started. On Tuesday, it was holding its second show for the Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66 Hall of Fame Inaugural Awards.

“As the first to close and among the last to reopen, this has been a time of extreme struggle in our industry,” Rialto Executive Director Valerie Devine said in a news release announcing the grant. “We have a unique opportunity to tackle some projects that have been neglected over the years due to financial constraints. These projects will without a doubt, provide a better entertainment experience for our patrons.”

Projects announced by the Rialto are expected to cost more than $2.2 million and include:

• a new air conditioning unit for the theater, rotunda and esplanade estimated to cost $900,000

• replacement of theater seating estimated to cost $725,000

• remodeling and expansion of the main floor rest rooms estimated to cost $550,000

• roof replacement estimated to cost $30,000

• infrared testing repairs estimated to cost $30,000

“The first one we would do, because we always get comments on this, is the ladies’ washroom,” said Robert Filotto, chairman of the Rialto board. “There are long lines. We can’t even get them in and out during the break.”

The projects will be paced out over a number of years yet to be determined and will depend on a return to normal revenue streams at the Rialto, he said.

“We’re hoping that the city of Joliet will continue to subsidize our operation, and we’re counting on the fact that we’re not going to have another COVID shutdown,” Filotto said.

Joliet had been contributing $500,000 annually to support the Rialto before reducing the subsidy in the last two years to adjust to the impact of the pandemic on city finances. City officials decide when forming the annual budget how much to contribute to the Rialto.

Interior construction activity also is likely to be limited to the spring and summer when there is a relative lull in activity at the Rialto, Filotto said. Management hopes to remodel and expand the women’s rest room next summer.

The theater seating goes back to the 1980s, he said.

“We have a number of seats that are not secure to the floor,” Filotto said. “They do move.”

The rooftop air conditioning system has broken down in recent years, leading to flooding in the neighboring Two Rialto Square office building that was so extensive that it was sold to private developer John Bays because the Rialto did not have the money to fix the damages.

The flooding also contributed to roof damage, and Filotto said theater management was advised about four years ago to replace the roof.

In the news release announcing the grant, Filotto was quoted thanking the city of Joliet, members of the Rialto’s S.T.A.R. group and patrons “for their continued financial support,” sending a message that the theater will need regular funding in addition to the grant in order to afford the projects.

Filotto said the theater has received the $1,426,183 announced Tuesday. But the Rialto had been informed that the total grant included another $52,000, he said, so more money could be coming.