Graphic of submitted design proposal (Saint John Theatre Company)
The Saint John Theatre Company has unveiled design plans detailing the look and layout of the old Sydney Street Courthouse, a plan that would house a new state-of-the-art cultural facility.
“In the twelve years since we opened our Princess Street production facility in the BMO Studio Theatre, the Saint John Theatre Company organization has become ten times larger than it was before we moved into this facility,” said Executive Director Stephen Tobias at Friday’s Zoom conference call which showcased the design for media and community members.
The project evolved out of conversations with various community stakeholders and arts organizations who will stand to benefit groups, such as the Imperial Theatre, the Atlantic Repertory Company (ARC), Symphony New Brunswick, Theatre New Brunswick and Atlantic Ballet. The company officially acquired the Courthouse last March with the help of $4.5 million in federal and private funding.
Sydney Street Courthouse (Credit: Brian Goodwin)
Tobias said construction work done on the Courthouse over 2020 helped create the existing framework for a community and regional creative hub.
The new design will combine the building’s heritage with technology to create more opportunities for performances and cultural events.
EXP Architects and Avant Garde Construction Management are the design and construction firms hired to the project, with CBCL Saint John providing project support.
The proposed design, which the city’s Heritage Review Board will begin to go over next week, shows a space capable of hosting up to three events simultaneously, with programming spaces that will include:
- A 220+ seat performance theatre with flexible configurations;
- Box office, patron elevator, backstage, dressing, rehearsal and administrative spaces;
- Receiving area and freight elevator;
- Lobby café with catering options;
- An additional small studio rehearsal and performance venue;
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- Above images of project design specs (Saint John Theatre Company)
Board President, George Daniel called the design submitted to the City of Saint John’s Heritage Review Board, “solid,” adding that the Saint John Theatre Company’s building committee is working closely with the design and construction team on the project.
“We are committed to the idea of creating something whose benefits extend beyond the needs of the Saint John Theatre Company and ARC, but will also support the development of our community, our southern New Brunswick as well as our Atlantic Canadian cultural industry,” said Tobias.
