TIFF uses a number of theatres in the core of downtown, mostly around King Street West but stretching as far north as the Bloor and as far east as The Ryerson Theatre on Gerrard.
Aside from hoping that the technical aspects of the theatres are up to snuff, there's also the general appearance of the spaces. For better or for worse, the theatres represent the city to visitors (and there are a lot of people who come here for TIFF. More often than not, I hear people who are "from away").
That said, the old Scotiabank Theatre at John and Richmond is an eyesore that desperately needs some attention. I will spend a lot of time there this year and it's a mess -- from the lobby areas to the entrances and exits and especially the washrooms.
With the closing of the Chapters below the theatre, the corner is looking very neglected. I noticed earlier this week that the large cube which sits at the top of the escalator and which used to show trailers and such appears to be non-functional.
Renovating the space would be the responsibility of Cineplex, of course. While it wouldn't have to be a major refit (the days of Garth Drabinsky's view of the movie house may have passed), improvements would help both the moviegoer and the neighbourhood in general.
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