FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre


The FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre is a cultural complex located in downtown St. Catharines, Ontario. It opened in 2015 as the result of a partnership between the City of St. Catharines and Brock University, which share the venue for production, performance and learning purposes. Designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects to host a variety of international and local performing artists, it comprises four separate venues: a 775-seat concert hall, 300-seat recital hall, 210-seat dance/theatre venue, and 187-seat film house.
The creation of the centre was hoped to regenerate Downtown St. Catharines and gain traffic from Brock University students studying at the adjacent Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts.