Updates
Free Community Party on October 23
Everyone is invited to a free community party at the new Burlington Performing Arts Centre on Sunday, October 23 between noon and 4 p.m.
Join Mayor Rick Goldring and City Councillors as they present the key to The Burlington Performing Arts Centre to the Board of Directors of The Centre at 2:30 p.m. All afternoon, enjoy outside entertainment and two sets of the Beatles’ tribute band, Day Tripper. Tour the centre and enjoy refreshments, including a celebration cake.
View the party schedule here.
The Centre is located at 440 Locust St., just north of Lakeshore Road at the corner of Elgin and Locust streets.
For the season’s lineup, including Opening Week celebrations between Nov. 27 and Dec. 3, visit http://www.burlingtonpac.ca/.
September 2011 Update
Drum roll please...
The Burlington Performing Arts Centre is ready to open its doors. Tickets are on sale now for the inaugural October 1 event, an intimate concert with Royal Wood.
Excitement is building around the coming season. The 2011/2012 schedule is filling fast as The Centre is poised to fulfill its role as an excellent venue for theatre productions, community and group presentations, civic events, reception and exhibitions.
To celebrate the completion (on time and on budget) of this iconic Burlington theatre, the city is hosting a community street party on Sunday, October 23, 2011, from noon to 4 p.m. Bring your friends and family for an afternoon of
• Guided tours of The Centre
• Family-friendly fun activities
• Live entertainment in and outside the theatre
• Cake and refreshments
• Giant community photo
More opening week celebrations will take place November 27 through December 3.
For more about The Centre, visit http://www.burlingtonpac.ca/.
Read the May Update from Brenda Heatherington (PDF)
April 2011 Update
Construction of the centre is now approximately 80% complete, with the grand opening scheduled for this fall.
Much of the work since December has taken place indoors. With the arrival of spring the exterior works will now begin. Work currently underway includes the installation of the auditorium acoustic reflectors and the suspended house lights, as well , wall and floor tiling in the washrooms and dressing rooms. Construction of the loading dock ramp is also being done.
Update Summer 2010
Construction on the Burlington Performing Arts Centre (BPAC) continues on time and within the council approved budget. Construction of the main stage auditorium walls was completed in June along with the required steel structure in the main stage auditorium. Construction of the balcony and box seating has started. The structural component of the roof of the building has also been completed. Inside construction continues with the pouring of concrete slab floors and creation of block partition walls.
The project remains on track to become LEED (Leadership in energy and environmental design) certified and to become the first stand alone LEED performing arts centre in Ontario
Topping off ceremony hosted by Bird Construction
On June 25, Bird Construction hosted a topping off ceremony at the construction site to celebrate the completion of the roof on BPAC. The cornerstone of the building was unveiled by members of the construction team and City Council. Invited guests and donors were also treated to a barbecue and allowed to walk the construction site to see the progression of the building.
More Information
The centre is designed by Diamond + Schmitt Architects Inc. and will feature a 730-seat main stage theatre, a 225-seat studio theatre, atrium space and an event patio. It will also include a six-storey fly tower allowing Burlington to host a wide variety of productions.
For inquires about the project or to make a donation please contact the City of Burlington at 905-681-6000 or e-mail bpac@burlington.ca.
Update Spring 2010
Construction of the Burlington Performance Art Centre (BPAC) remains on time and on budget according to a staff report presented to City Council on May 3, 2010.
The centre is now truly beginning to take shape as work continues on the structure with both concrete walls and steel support structures now together on the site. Large concrete walls have been constructed for the auditorium and stage. Burlington Hydro has also energized an electricity pad mounted transformer supplying power to the construction site. Throughout the spring months, mechanical, electrical and wall construction continues. Construction has also started on the Pedestrian Bridge Link to the 414 Locust St. parking garage. The bridge will link the parking garage to the BPAC allowing convenient access to the centre. The building is expected to be fully closed in by the end of the year.
The project remains on track to become LEED (Leadership in energy and environmental design) certified and to become the first stand alone LEED performing arts centre in Ontario.
First Executive Director Announced
Brenda Heatherington was recently announced as the first executive director for the Burlington Performing Arts Centre. She will begin in her role in May 2010. Heatherington comes from the Arden Theatre in Alberta where she oversaw the direction of the theatre since 1992. She was also the program director of the Northern Alberta International Children’s Festival in St. Albert for 13 years.
Heatherington has served as vice-president of the Canadian Arts Presenting Association, and is a member of the Arts Touring Alliance of Alberta, the Western Arts Alliance, and the International Association of Performing Arts for Young Audiences. She is also past chair of the Canadian Children’s Festival Association.
Site Tour
On April 9, 2010 a tour was held for the public to get an inside look into the construction process. Although the structure was not fully completed, those on the tour were able to gain a sense of the size of the new facility. More than 250 people visited and toured the construction site.
Burlington Performing Arts Centre – Update Fall 2009
Residents should soon see the structure for the walls going up on the new Burlington Performing Arts Centre as construction continues through the fall months. Over the course of the summer and early fall months construction activity continued on the foundation, plumbing and electrical works. Shipments of structural steel began to arrive in late September and during the month of October work will begin on the studio theatre walls and steel structure. By the end of the fall season work will be well underway on the main auditorium and studio theatre walls, as the new Burlington Performing Arts Centre begins to take shape.
In July, Council approved $1.5 million in stimulus funding for the pedestrian bridge link that will provide access from the exiting downtown parking garage at 441 Locust Street to the new Burlington Performing Arts Centre. The design is complete and the city is working with Bird Construction to coordinate the pedestrian bridge construction works.
The Burlington Performing Arts Centre is expected to open in 2011. The final design of the centre is the product of extensive public consultations that took place over the course of 2008. When completed it will be an excellent venue for productions, receptions, exhibitions, community functions and civic events. The Burlington Performing Arts Centre is expected to generate economic spin-offs including new tourism and convention opportunities, the creation of new jobs and the continued pedestrian-friendly environment downtown.
Burlington Performing Arts Centre – Update Summer 2009
The excavation and forming of the basement and foundation for the new Burlington Performing Arts Centre continues through the summer months. In late June, Bird Construction Company installed the 140 foot tower crane on site at the corner of Elgin and Locust streets in downtown Burlington. The tower crane will remain active on site until early 2010.
On July 16, 2009 City Council approved the design development and costing report for pedestrian bridge link that will provide access from the exiting downtown parking garage at 441 Locust Street to the new Burlington Performing Arts Centre. Staff will now continue work on the detailed design of the pedestrian bridge and work to incorporate the design into the exiting construction schedule.
The Burlington Performing Arts Centre is expected to open in 2011. The final design of the centre is the product of extensive public consultations that took place over the course of 2008. When completed it will be an excellent venue for productions, receptions, exhibitions, community functions and civic events. The Burlington Performing Arts Centre is expected to generate economic spin-offs including new tourism and convention opportunities, the creation of new jobs and the continued pedestrian- friendly environment downtown.
February 2009 Update - Burlington Performing Arts Centre
Construction will begin on the new Burlington Performing Arts Centre, the city’s largest ever capital construction project, in March after Burlington City Council awarded the construction tender to Bird Construction Co. of Toronto for $26.8 million on Feb. 23.
The Burlington Performing Arts Centre is expected to open in 2011. The final design of the centre is the product of extensive public consultations that took place over the course of 2008. When completed it will be an excellent venue for productions, receptions, exhibitions, community functions and civic events. A LEED-certified building (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), it is destined to be Ontario’s first stand-alone green performing arts centre. The Burlington Performing Arts Centre is expected to generate economic spin-offs including new tourism and convention opportunities, the creation of new jobs and the continued pedestrian- friendly environment downtown.
Burlington Performing Arts Centre - Update January 2009
Tender Process
During the first quarter of 2009 the Burlington Performing Arts Centre project is set to experience another significant milestone. Towards the end of January the City of Burlington will open the tenders that have been received for this project. The tenders are the bids that the city receives from general contractors seeking to be hired to begin the construction of the Burlington Performing Arts Centre.
Following the opening of the tenders, staff will be preparing a report to council recommending the preferred tender. This report is scheduled to go forward to the Community Development Committee on February 9, 2009 and then on to City Council on February 23, 2009.
Burial of Hydro Lines
In the meantime, Hydro construction activity continues on the future site of the centre. Burlington Hydro is working to bury the hydro lines that run along Elgin Street from Locust Street to Burlington Avenue. This construction activity is expected to last into February 2009.
Fundraising
As we begin 2009 the Burlington Performing Arts Centre Fundraising Cabinet is also hard at work working towards its fundraising goal of $11 million. Recently the fundraising cabinet received a $10,000 donation from Theatre Burlington, who has joined a long list of Burlington organizations, corporations, and individuals who have made a donation to the project.
The Burlington Performing Arts Centre - Update October/November
The city is now working out the final design details for the Burlington Performing Arts Centre project as it prepares to move into the construction phase. On October 20, 2008 Burlington City Council approved a plan that ensures sufficient funding is in place to commence construction. The city remains committed to securing the outstanding provincial funding. The city has finished 90 per cent of the blueprints and design details.
The city’s project management team has been hard at work to ensure the Burlington Performing Arts Centre will be a broadcast-capable facility. This will have tremendous benefits to the centre including the enhanced ability to record performances and events as well as the ability for live television broadcasts and teleconferencing.
The city is also continuing cost reduction strategy to ensure that the Burlington Performing Arts Centre remains on budget and has secured a final list of six pre-qualified General Contractors. The city will confirm site plan requirements and secure a building permit prior to tender.
It is expected that a construction tender for the project will be awarded in early 2009 with construction starting in February 2009.
The Burlington Performing Arts Centre is expected to open in 2011. When completed it will be an excellent venue for productions, receptions, exhibitions, community functions and civic events. The centre is being designed by Diamond + Schmitt Architects Inc. and will feature a 718-seat main stage theatre, a 225-seat studio theatre, atrium space and an event patio. It will also include a six-storey fly tower allowing Burlington to host a wide variety of productions.
Update - September 2008
The demolition activities are now complete on the future Burlington Performing Arts Centre (BPAC) site at the corner of Elgin and Locust streets in downtown Burlington. The demolition of the former police station began on July 9, 2008 and was completed at the end of August.
Work continues on the BPAC with more than 50 per cent of the detailed design and blueprint drawings now complete. Recent reviews of the project expenses have confirmed that the project remains on budget.
The next steps for the project include the process of pre-qualifying general contractors to work on the construction of the BPAC. A tender for the construction contract will most likely be issued in late fall 2008 with a preferred general contractor being selected in late 2008.
There is still an opportunity to get involved with this project. The community fundraising campaign is well underway. To make a contribution towards the project or to find out more information on community fundraising opportunities please call 905-335-7600 ext. 7484 or e-mail bpac@burlington.ca. The city has already secured $4 million in federal funding for this project and continues to pursue provincial funding.
The Burlington Performing Arts Centre is expected to open in 2011. When completed it will be an excellent venue for productions, receptions, exhibitions, community functions and civic events. The centre is being designed by Diamond + Schmitt Architects Inc. and will feature a 718-seat main stage theatre, a 225-seat studio theatre, atrium space and an event patio. It will also include a six-storey fly tower allowing Burlington to host a wide variety of productions.
The Burlington Performing Arts Centre – Update July/August 2008
City demolishes former police station building on future Burlington Performing Arts Centre site
The city entered the newest phase in the construction of the Burlington Performing Arts Centre with the demolition of the former police station on the corner of Elgin and Locust streets in downtown Burlington.
The Burlington Performing Arts Centre is expected to open in 2011. When completed it will be an excellent venue for productions, receptions, exhibitions, community functions and civic events. The centre is being designed by Diamond + Schmitt Architects Inc. and will feature a 718-seat main stage theatre, a 225-seat studio theatre, atrium space and an event patio. It will also include a six-storey fly tower allowing Burlington to host a wide variety of productions.
A demolition event was held on July 9, 2008. This event brought together donors, supporters and members of the performing arts community to celebrate the next phase of development.
Over the summer months the project management team will work to prequalify general construction contractors with the tender period running from October to November 2008. A ground breaking ceremony to mark the start of construction is expected to take place in the first quarter of 2009.
The Burlington Performing Arts Centre – Update May 2008
Burlington Performing Arts Centre Update PDF - May 2008
Progress continues on the Burlington Performing Arts Centre. Since the last update a number of significant milestones have been reached, as the project continues to evolve to meet community needs and expectations.
In March, the Burlington Performing Arts Centre received council approval to proceed with the detailed design. This phase of the project is when the architects and design teams will create the architectural look and feel of the new centre. During this phase, the design has evolved as the architects and project team continue to make improvements to the centre as a result of recommendations and feedback from City Council, members of Burlington’s performing arts community, the general public and neighbours.
Recent improvements to the centre include a rotated studio theatre at Locust Street, which creates a wonderful new lobby presence on Locust Street, a new marshalling and multipurpose area and increased corridor width in the back of the house to accommodate easier movement of people and materials during performances.
The rotation of the studio theatre has allowed for a better-positioned and enhanced main lobby and outdoor plaza area. These features will allow this facility to be more than just a performing arts centre but also a much-needed community gathering space capable of hosting corporate and community events.
The Burlington Accessibility Advisory Committee is currently reviewing plans for the centre. This review will help the architects and design team identify and correct barriers to accessibility. By listening to and addressing the concerns of the performing arts community and the Burlington Accessibility Advisory Committee early in the design process, the project team will be able to ensure that the new Burlington Performing Arts Centre will be a theatre that is accessible and serves the needs of the entire Burlington community.
Update January 2008 - Proposed Burlington Performing Arts Centre design options
On February 19, 2008 the city’s Community and Corporate Services Committee will review and select a preferred design option for the Burlington Performing Arts Centre. The design options being presented to committee are available below as well as on display in City Hall and at Tansley Woods Community Centre.
Update November 2007
Building Design
The Burlington Performing Arts Centre project continues to move forward. In September, the project passed another significant milestone with the selection of well-known firm Diamond + Schmitt as the lead architect for the final design of the building. Known for its acoustically-sound buildings and experience with performing arts centres in Richmond Hill, Washington DC and Toronto, Diamond + Schmitt brings a wealth of experience and passion to the Burlington Performing Arts Centre project.
The project design phase began on Sept. 24. The project management team plans to present the updated schematic design to Council in early 2008. Over the next few months, a number of major tasks are planned, including the preparation of the base building program and a base theatre equipment list, both for Council’s consideration.
As part of the design and development of these strategies and designs, the project management team will be visiting and taking site tours of two other municipal theatres, the River Run Theatre in Guelph and the Rose Theatre Brampton.
Burlington Performing Arts Centre Open Houses
On November 22 & 23 the City hosted open houses to discuss the Burlington Performing Arts Centre - the open houses provided the following information:
- The functional design of the Performing Arts Centre
- The preferred site (southwest corner of Locust and Elgin Streets, the present location of the Halton Region Police Station)
- Preliminary budget and timing
- Power Point Presentation made by staff at the Performing Arts Centre Open Houses
For more information please contact Catherine Talbot at 905-335-7715, talbotc@burlington.ca or Jim Seferiades at 905-335-7785, seferiadesj@burlington.ca
Preferred site for Burlington Performing Arts Centre announced
In October, city council confirmed the Halton Regional Police Station at 440 Locust Street as the city’s preferred downtown site for the future Burlington Performing Arts Centre. The Halton Regional Police have been preparing to move to a more central location on Southampton Blvd. to better the serve the entire city, and earlier this summer, the region declared the site as surplus. The city is currently negotiating with the Region of Halton a fair market value for the property.
The preferred site is a great location for a Performing Arts Centre as:
- It is close to downtown dining, shopping and entertainment
- It connects well with the waterfront and other nearby cultural attractions It is easily accessible by car, transit and walking
- It has existing parking conveniently located nearby including the parking garage next door
- It complements the surrounding area and
- It is a suitable size and is available for acquisition
City staff has consulted extensively with Performing Arts Burlington, the school boards and other groups in the community that indicated a demand for a Performing Arts Centre. Currently many Burlington groups go outside the community for rehearsals and performances. A Performing Arts Centre will complement existing art facilities in the community, allow groups to stage major productions and accommodate touring shows.
The proposed design for the Performing Arts Centre will feature a 720-seat main theatre and a multi-purpose studio hall. The budget for the Performing Arts Centre is subject to a funding split between the city, community fundraising campaign and the federal and provincial governments. Construction of the facility is anticipated to begin in the fall of 2007, with the centre being fully operational by early 2009.
