Kingston Approves New Naming Rights at the Grand Theatre

Kingston City Council has approved two new naming rights agreements at the Kingston Grand Theatre, reflecting the continued importance of philanthropy in supporting municipal cultural assets.

The Davies Charitable Foundation will renew its support of the Davies Lounge with a $100,000 commitment over ten years, beginning January 2026. The gift continues a relationship dating back to 1979 and will help fund the Grand OnStage program while expanding ticket affordability through the City’s fee assistance initiative.

In addition, the Theatre’s main box office will be named the Walter Fenlon & Linda Ann Daly Box Office. Fenlon and Daly—long-time community leaders and arts supporters—have pledged $42,500 over five years to sustain programming and engagement.

These agreements build on the Theatre’s restoration campaign launched in 2004, when $3.35 million was raised through community contributions. Together, the renewed lounge and newly dedicated box office highlight how naming rights can be structured to both honour donors and deliver measurable public benefit.