1858
The present Brockville Arts Centre on King Street West is built to serve as a town hall, market place and fire engine house. (Two of the original date stones still exist placed on the outside wall).
1880
The town hall is moved to a new location allowing for the creation of Brockville’s first real theatre called The Opera House.
1911
The building is expanded creating a tall fly tower, spacious dressing rooms and the third largest stage in Canada. The Opera House is renamed New Theatre.
1929
New Theatre closes due to declining revenues. The theatre remains “dark” through much of the so called “dirty thirties”.
1937
Fire destroys the auditorium. Fortunately, the proscenium’s asbestos curtain saves the huge stage, backstage area and fly tower.
1939
The renovated building reopens as a motion-picture theatre called The Regent.
1958
The rising popularity of television forces the closure of The Regent. (Today, in the projection booth the two 35 milimetre film projectors continue to function and are used for special screenings).
1960
The building reopens as Brockville’s Civic Auditorium offering a venue for local theatre groups and professional touring companies.
1975
The Civic Auditorium is renovated including an expansion to accommodate a lobby art gallery and box office.
1981
The rear of the building is expanded for rehearsal space, set construction, prop and wardrobe storage.
1990
The building is renamed Brockville Arts Centre.
2009
Project ENCORE! – a community-driven undertaking, restores and redecorates the theatre under the direction of Designer Peggy Irvine.
For History Lovers Only...
Want to learn more about the Arts Centre and more of Brockville’s history? The Brockville Museum hosts an evolving collection of objects and stories representing Brockville’s past and present!
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