The Venice Theatre is nearing a milestone in its long recovery from Hurricane Ian and has now secured funding for its next construction phase.
Sarasota County commissioners voted unanimously this month to grant $2 million to the theatre for renovations to the Raymond Center, a flexible performance and education space that has hosted productions while the theatre’s main stage has been under repair.
The Jervey Theatre — the theatre’s main stage — was heavily damaged by Hurricane Ian, and what began as a restoration effort grew into a $25 million project. Workers were able to close the last remaining opening from last week’s storm, with the Jervey expected to reopen for the 2027 season.
The path to the Raymond Center grant wasn’t straightforward. Theatre leadership initially sought funds for the Jervey restoration but was told that federal stipulations barred its use. A subsequent application for the Raymond Center was denied. The theatre returned to county commissioners a third time, this time requesting funding to convert space in the Raymond Center into classroom studios to support a rapidly growing education program.
Some commissioners raised concerns about fairness to other applicants who did not have the opportunity to revise their requests, but the board ultimately approved the funding after the theatre reduced its project budget.
The Raymond Center renovation is slated to begin once Jervey construction wraps up next February, and the theatre must use the grant funds by February 2030.
The Venice Theatre is the largest community theatre in Florida and the second largest in the nation.
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