Flood damage to keep Ottawa’s Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe closed through 2026

OTTAWA — Flood damage is set to keep Ottawa’s Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe closed through 2026.

In a memo to city council, officials say there is still no timeline for when a restoration plan will be developed or completed for the city-owned theatre.

It says all shows, events and rentals are cancelled through the end of the year, and any shows scheduled for after that will be reassessed in the fall as restoration plans progress.

The theatre in Ottawa’s Nepean suburb suffered extensive damage when more than 100 millimetres of rain fell on the city on July 1, inaugurating what’s been a month of extreme rainfall.

The memo says the main theatre stage, orchestra pit, studio theatre and lobby are among the theatre’s damaged areas.

Rental clients are being offered refunds and help to find alternate venues, including the Shenkman Arts Centre.

“We recognize that this temporary closure is disappointing for patrons, staff, artists, and supporters,” reads the memo from Dan Chenier, the city’s general manager for recreation, cultural and facility services.

“Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe is an important cultural facility that contributes to the City of Ottawa’s arts sector, and staff are working to restore operations as quickly as possible.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 31, 2026.