The Theatre Centre threw open the doors of its stately new home Sunday, inviting media to tour what was originally a Carnegie Library and is currently a Toronto Public Health building (since 1964). With condo developments cutting a swath across this section of West Queen West, the Theatre Centre — with the support of local community groups like Active 18 — has rallied to establish deeper roots in this changing neighbourhood, which includes the soon-to-be-completed Artscape Triangle Lofts just down the block.
Theatre Centre Chair Gail Packwood (left with Artistic Director Franco Boni) gave me a tour of what promises to be a very impressive new facility when it’s completed in three to four years. Renowned heritage architect Phil Goldsmith has re-imagined the building at 1115 Queen Street West and proposed moving the main entrance and box office around the corner onto Lisgar Street, where an accessibility ramp can be installed; a glassed-in café will be added to the existing structure.
Best of all is the main theatre space, a double height room with a beautifully coffered ceiling. Goldsmith’s plans provide for four different seating configurations accommodating up to 229 seats: “We want the space to be as useable and multi-purpose as possible,” says Packwood. A lobby/gallery and public event space is also part of the plan.
“Adam Giambrone is the Councillor in this ward and he’s been really instrumental in helping us work with the City,” says Packwood.” The Metcalf Foundation funded the initial development work with Phil Goldsmith and the feasibility study. We’ve also received money from the Trillium Foundation and from Canadian Heritage. We need to raise about $5.2 million of which we’ve already secured $1.3 million. We have a ways to go but there are other government agencies we’re in talks with so we’re hopeful.”
Photos by Christopher Jones
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