Operation and Management of the Colonial Theatre in Downtown Laconia, NH

Location:	New Hampshire
Posted:	Nov 24, 2025
Due:	Dec 11, 2025
Agency:	City of Laconia
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	71 - Furniture
Solicitation No:	P25-11-01
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

RFP No. P25-11-01

Operation and Management of the

Colonial Theatre in Downtown Laconia, NH

November 19, 2025

I. SUMMARY

The City of Laconia (hereinafter “the City”) is presenting a rare opportunity for a qualified

management entity to join a strategic partnership to operate and manage the historic Colonial

Theater in downtown Laconia.

This opportunity commences with the issuance of this Request for Proposal (RFP) through which

qualified management entities are invited to present their qualifications, management plans,

financial backgrounds, and most importantly their vision as the exclusive manager of the

Colonial Theatre.

It would be expected that the chosen management company would contract with the City

beginning July 1, 2026.

The information submitted will be evaluated in the context of two primary goals:

1. Securing a financially stable entity that will effectively manage, operate, and maintain a

facility which will result in becoming the first class, cultural and civic venue and will

provide a wide array of programming for Laconia and its surrounding areas.

2. Operating the Colonial Theatre in a manner that will support and foster the prestation of

artistic and/or cultural activities in the City of Laconia as well as maximizing the

economic impact of the Theatre in downtown Laconia and the Lakes Region.

The selected 3rd party operator will oversee and manage the venue including the following areas:

o The 750-seat auditorium

o Onsite storage space dedicated to the theater.

o Front of the house space intended to be used as concession areas, ticket offices and any

marketing space.

o Manage 5,000 square feet of Back-of-the-House space that could also accommodate

receptions and meetings.

**The residential and retail spaces are not included as part of this opportunity**

II. OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this RFP are to:

1. Start the exchange of information by outlining in the RFP the desires of the City.

2. Continue the dialogue through written submissions, interviews, and/or presentations.

3. Set fourth a process under which the City, through the City manager, City Council, and

Colonial Theatre Advisory Board, can identify qualified management companies,

evaluate proposals received and ultimately select and negotiate an agreement with the

successful bidder.

III. INTRODUCTION AND LOCATION

The Colonial Theatre, located in the heart of Downtown Laconia at 617 Main Street, is one

of the most significant historic structures in the Lakes Region of NH. The total square

footage of the property is approximately 39,000. Renovations of the historic Colonial

Theatre were completed in 2021. The project was one of the largest historic preservation

projects in the state’s history, while its design, performance, and technical capacity would

make it one of the most advanced civic auditoriums in New Hampshire.

Laconia is the county seat of Belknap County, with a year-round population of 16,000. A

significant economic driver of the community is travel and tourism and the Colonial Theatre

does play a critical role in supporting the local economy.

IV. FUTURE FOR THE COLONIAL THEATRE

The City continues to envision the Colonial Theatre becoming the preeminent center for all

civic performances, performing arts clubs, and third-party organizations to hold, host and

drive cultural arts, community events, and professional performances into our community.

Since its completion, the Colonial Theatre has become the largest indoor performing arts

stage in central New Hampshire providing an economic stimulus for future generations. After

opening in 2021, the Colonial Theatre has become a catalyst for the development and

enrichment of the arts in the Lakes Region.

V. SERVICES REQUIRED

The City recognized the need for continued professional marketing, operations, and

management for the Colonial Theatre over a five-year term. It has set the following

operational priorities for the selected respondent including but not limited to:

• Provide an on-site manager, acceptable to the City, to manage the day-to-day building

operations of the Colonial Theatre in a cost-effective and high-quality manner.

• Work strategically to achieve a high level of activation of the building for events and

programming.

• Create a vibrant entertainment, education, and cultural hub in the center of downtown

Laconia.

• Develop and implement strategies to engage with existing community groups, attract

new strategic partners and events.

• Support the City’s investment in the Colonial Theatre through exercising the highest

standard of maintenance and preservation of the building with respect to its historic

significance.

• The Colonial Theatre is a civic auditorium, as such, it will be priority to facilitate the

use of the space by local, civic, educational, or other groups through rental or

alternative arrangements.

• Work collaboratively with civic organizations, non-profits, and the Laconia schools

so that they may use the facility, without cost to them. Specific terms are to be

negotiated.

• Collaborate closely with the in-house community theater group, as identified by the

City of Laconia, to facilitate continued multiple-annual performances.

• Participation in Colonial Theatre Advisory Committee meetings required.

VI. PROPERTY DESCRIPTION

The Colonial Theatre is over 100 years old and 5+ years ago, underwent an extensive,

multimillion-dollar renovation. The theater seats 750 patrons and is equipped with state-of-

the-art A/V and lighting equipment. Reception and concession spaces are available adjacent

to the theater as well as off-street parking. The Colonial Theatre block also includes privately

owned, high-end residential units on the second and third floors and four commercial retail

units fronting Main Street. The completion of this project was a catalyst for the resurgence of

beautiful downtown Laconia.

VII. MASTER LANDLORD OBLICATION

The City of Laconia as master landlords, will be responsible for costs associated with

utilities including electricity, heating fuel, property insurance, water, sewer, and internet. This

obligation will run concurrently with the contract term for the theater’s management and

operations.

VIII. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The City of Laconia invites interested parties to respond to this RFP with the information

requested below which will be used, in conjunction with interviews and/or presentations, to

determine qualified respondents, and choose a management company to fulfil the

requirement.

A. Each submission must be accompanied by a respondent’s background statement

that includes the following information:

• Firm/Organization Name;

• Address, contact name, phone number and e-mail address for the applicant;

• Structure of firm/organization, e.g., nonprofit, corporation;

• Years that firm/organization has been in business;

• Names of firm/organization principals/directors;

• Financial information in the form of a current financial statement and balance

sheet;

• Listing of any actions (within the last 10 years) taken by any regulatory

agency involving the firm/organization or its agents or employees with respect

to any work performed;

• Listing of any litigation (within the last 10 years) involving the firm or its

agents or employees with respect to any work performed;

• Names of people, with contact information, who can be contacted as

references. At least three references must be provided.

• Demonstration of ability to obtain all appropriate casualty/liability insurance

coverage applicable to the service.

B. As part of the submission, a description of the intended management structure of

the building must be included and must also include the following material:

• Building Operations

o Provide a description of the submitter’s approach for building

operations including ongoing daily or routine maintenance that

preserves and enhances the significant investment made by the City of

Laconia in the facility.

o Include services that will be provided internally and outline services

that will be provided through contracted services.

o Who will be responsible for production management of events and

operation of all technical fixtures of the theater?

• Management of Event Activities

o Provide a description of the operation of the Colonial Theatre as an

assembly/event space that fulfills its mission.

o Provide information on strategies and procedures that will be utilized

in managing the Colonial Theatre and creating beneficial use in

supporting the goals of an active, thriving civic theatre.

o Include a strategy for consistent use of the Colonial Theatre.

o Also include information on the contemplated users and events to be

solicited, services to be provided internally related to event sets/strikes

& production and services that may be chosen to be subcontracted to

other entities, organizations, or businesses.

• Qualifications

o Summarize the respondents experience on similar projects, activities

managed, or properties operated. Include the listing, sizing and

description of other facilities that applicant has managed.

• Sales & Marketing Plan

o Create a description of a communication and marketing plan that

would be implemented for the Colonial Theatre. Plans should involve

periodic events which invite and encourage public viewing and use of

This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

Bid Number:	P25-11-01
Bid Title:	Operation and Management of the Colonial Theatre in Downtown Laconia, NH
Category:	Bids, RFP's and RFQ's
Status:	Open

Operation and Management of the Colonial Theatre in Downtown Laconia, NH

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