Rialto Gets $1.4 Million Grant: Here's How Money Could Be Spent

JOLIET, IL — The Rialto Square Theatre in downtown Joliet has been awarded a Shuttered Venue Operator's Grant of more than $1.4 million, Rialto staff announced Tuesday morning.

The total grant for the Rialto is $1,426,183.

According to Rialto marketing staff, the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program was established to assist eligible organizations; local, regional, and national venues, promoters and producers in the effort to reopen after an unprecedented closure due to the pandemic.

Grant funds will be allocated to payroll, utility, insurance, repairs and maintenance, and other operating costs incurred during the pandemic while virtually no event revenues materialized.

Rialto Executive Director Val Devine said the Rialto is facing several expensive building projects and repairs with the following estimated costs:

• Remodel and expansion of main floor restrooms about $550,000
• New A/C unit for the Rotunda/Esplanade/Theatre about $900,000
• Removal and replacement of roof about $30,000
• Infra-Red testing repairs about $30,000
• Replacement of theater seating about $725,000

“As the first to close and among the last to reopen, this has been a time of extreme struggle in our industry,” Devine said in Tuesday's news release. She is executive director of the VenuWorks- managed Rialto Square Theatre. “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.”

Since the downtown Joliet theater reopened, ticket sales for Rialto shows have been strong, Devine said.

The fall schedule includes entertainment such as Terry Fator, Napoleon Dynamite, Melissa Etheridge, Peppa Pig, Hairball, Friends! The Musical Parody, and many more. Additionally, the theater recently announced its annual Home for the Holiday season providing a season full of diverse holiday entertainment, the Rialto said.