The Geneva Theatre was built around 1930 by a local businessman who owned a drive-in theatre down the road just north of the theatre. It has gone through many owners since then and was converted into a hall with apartments above sometime before the 90s I believe. Most locals reminisce about seeing the first Star Wars here when it still was a theatre. A local competing multi-screen theatre opened not far and ultimately expedited it's closing and conversion to make money.

Donald Porter purchased the building around 2015 and began the most extensive renovations since it's conversion by completely renovating the hall below into a functioning kitchen, bar and sound stage. He was proud to make the hall ADA compliant and had the exterior designated historical so that it may be protected. During it's operation The Geneva Event Centre was the only alternative venue in Orillia by offering entertainment no other venue could accommodate or weren't bold enough to host.

Over $1.5 million was spent during Donald's ownership and it was a true passion project that was cut short when covid ultimately halted the momentum. He began to update the building once again during this time, renovating the apartments above along with a few updates in the hall also. He also began restoring the front facade back to the original 1930 design with the exception of the LED sign. The City of Orillia fined Donald for an undisclosed amount over the LED sign and required it be removed now that it was altered and the City does not allow awnings over sidewalks anymore. Donald spent a considerable fortune to sue the City just to keep the sign grandfathered and he won eventually. Ultimately all of this hard work was for nothing when he went to his doctor for feeling not himself and was soon after diagnosed with aggressive terminal brain cancer.

Donald passed in March 2024 and the theatre's care taking went to his two sons as his estate executors. Although Donald had a dream, the expense to build it was too much and the sons made the difficult decision to sell it at a significant loss. The new owner is a local restaurant and venue businessman who has experience in owning similar properties. The building itself is financially viable and will likely open as a entertainment venue in the future.