An online petition to keep a Coquitlam theatre name is gaining momentum.
But the company that owns the arts building - which has seen the likes of performers Jay Leno, Joan Rivers and Tony Bennett - is holding its ground on its decision to rebrand the facility.
As of yesterday morning, the petition via change.org had received more than 6,750 signatures from around B.C. in an attempt to save the Red Robinson Show Theatre name.
The petition reads, in part: "We, the undersigned, are outraged by the slap in the face to one of the Lower Mainland's most beloved residents. To honour a man by naming a building after him is a great honour but to throw that away after seven years is a disgrace."
The venue is attached to the Boulevard Casino, which in July announced it would be revamped as the Hard Rock Casino Vancouver.
Then, Howard Blank, vice-president of media and entertainment for the Great Canadian Gaming Corp., which owns Boulevard Casino, told The Tri-City News the 1,000-seat theatre would be part of the rebirth.
However, the radio personality's name would be absent from the theatre sign. Instead, Hard Rock plans to include Robinson memorabilia throughout the gaming property on United Boulevard.
Robinson, who last week marked his 60th year in radio, declined to speak about the matter with The News this week. But Chuck Keeling, GCGC's executive director of stakeholder relations, made clear the company's relationship with Robinson won't be ending.
"We will be commemorating his high profile in a different way," Keeling said, adding, "We have spoken with Red and we are working with him. This is something that Red has been very gracious with us."
While the Hard Rock Casino brand will be seen from the outside, Keeling said Great Canadian is still in talks about what the theatre will be called inside. "Red Robinson" is not an option, he stressed.
As for the online petition, Keeling said his company is "going to be as proactive as possible" and respond to the feedback via social media. Among the thousands of petition supporters are former radio personality Terry David Mulligan and Burnaby crooner Michael Buble, who opened Boulevard Casino in 2002 and had Robinson emcee his wedding. Buble did not return a request for comment.
Hard Rock Casino Vancouver officially opens Dec. 20.
