Centre In The Square Transforms Audience Experience with New Accessible Seating
KITCHENER, ONTARIO – Centre In The Square is excited to announce the completion of its Seating Revitalization project, a significant improvement designed to enhance the overall accessibility and comfort of our theatre. Made possible through the generous support of the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario, this project ensures that all community members can fully enjoy the world-class performances that Centre In The Square has to offer.
This Seating Revitalization project upgraded all the fixed seating within the Raffi Armenian Theatre at the Centre In The Square to new plush, wider and more comfortable seats. In total more than 1,700 seats have been replaced, keeping as much of the original layout and leg room as possible. In addition to the new seats, the Centre In The Square was able to dramatically improve the overall accessible capacity within the venue, by creating a new row specifically designed to support accessible devices of all shapes and sizes, with the ability for 45 seats to be converted to an accessible location for any performance.
Through the Community, Culture and Recreation stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, the Government of Canada invested $540,000 and the Province of Ontario contributed up to $449,955 toward the seating improvements and toward upgrades to the facility’s elevators. The Centre In the Square supported the remainder through the Name-A-Seat Campaign and Capital Improvement fees of $1,134,000.
“Our federal government has always stood behind the arts, recognizing their vital role in fostering community and showcasing Canada’s diverse culture. We’re proud to invest in Centre In The Square to enhance accessibility and ensure that everyone in our region can have an even better experience with the world-class artistic programming this venue brings to our community.”
Tim Louis, Member of Parliament for Kitchener—Conestoga, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
“Our government is proud to invest in local community and recreational infrastructure projects, fostering stronger and more engaging communities across Ontario,” said Kinga Surma, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure. “The improved and upgraded Centre In The Square will bring enhanced accessibility features to the Raffi Armenian Theatre, providing the residents of Kitchener and surrounding communities with more opportunities to come together and enjoy inclusive art and culture for years to come.”
Mayor Berry Vrbanovic, City of Kitchener, added his thoughts on the revitalization’s impact on the local community: “Centre In The Square is a cultural landmark in our city, and these updates ensure that it remains a welcoming space for everyone. Projects like this strengthen our community, ensuring that people of all abilities can come together to share in the unique experiences that live performances offer.”
Dan Carli, Centre In The Square Board of Directors’ Chair reinforced the importance of this retrofit project to support the mission of the organization: “This revitalization marks an important milestone for Centre In The Square. Our mission has always been to create an inclusive environment where everyone can experience the arts, and these improvements allow us to fulfill that mission in an even more impactful way. We’re grateful for the support of our government partners and are excited for our patrons to enjoy this enhanced experience.”
We were thrilled to celebrate this exciting milestone with our community. The seating unveil event showcased the improved accessibility and comfort at Centre In The Square and highlighted the collaborative efforts that continue to make our venue a welcoming space for all. Together, we have set the stage for unforgettable performances and shared experiences for years to come.