Ontario Construction News staff writer
Place des Arts will be the first multidisciplinary arts centre in Northeastern Ontario and a focal point for Greater Sudbury. The multipurpose cultural centre is a contemporary arts and culture facility for Francophones and for the entire community.
Construction continued through the winter and COVID-19 pandemic on the facility that includes:
- a 299 fixed-seating theatre
- a multifunctional studio
- a contemporary art gallery
- a youth zone,
- an early childhood artistic centre
- a bistro
- a boutique bookstore
- office spaces and meetings room
When it opens next year, the cultural centre is expected to attract 50,000 visitors to the downtown core each year. Services will be provided in French and English.
The estimated economic effects of the $30 million project’s construction are $18.7 million and the creation of 180 jobs over the 24 months of construction. The official opening is set for 2020.
“We’re making good headway,” executive director Léo Therrien said in a statement. “For over a month now, work has resumed on the Place des Arts construction site after the government relaxed the COVID restrictions.”
The total budget is approximately $30 million from which 100 per cent of the public funding is confirmed, as follows:
- $5.5 million from the City of Greater Sudbury,
- $12.5 million from the federal government,
- $8.25 million from the provincial government,
- $3.75 million from private donations.
The estimated economic effects of the project construction are $18.7 million and the creation of 180 jobs.
When the centre opens, it will create an estimated 29 jobs.
Contractors and workers have erected the structural steel and the building’s impressive form now rises at the corner of Larch and Elgin Streets. Soon, the concrete floors will be poured, and then the roof will be installed.
“By the end of fall, all of the walls will be built, so the structure will be enclosed before winter arrives, allowing work to continue safely,” Therrien said. “Everyone on the worksite continues to follow the government’s prescribed public health and social distancing guidelines.”
Board members and volunteer committees continue to handle a wide variety of matters relating to governance, signage, furnishings, various policies and programming.
“You can sense the growing excitement as Place des Arts begins to take shape,” Therrien said. “We see the day approaching when we’ll all happily greet one another in a magnificent building that embodies our community’s vitality.”