Place des Arts in Sudbury selected as a 2022 Queen’s Park Pick
Every year, the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) teams up with MPPs across the province to nominate structures for World Architect’s Day. An art facility in Sudbury was among nine buildings across the province being recognized for its design this year.
From wood used to rebuild after the Chicago fire to bricks from the first francophone school in the north, it’s the small details of Place des Arts that make it so unique.
“It’s a beautiful building, Place des Arts is a gem in Sudbury. Its something that we’re all very proud of as Sudburians,” said Sudbury MPP Jamie West.
West nominated the first multi-disciplinary art facility of its kind in the north for the annual Queen’s Park picks.
West said he hopes the recognition from the association will raise awareness about Place des Arts and what it has to offer.
“It’s really about the mandates of the OAA, which is to educate the public about architecture and for the architectural association to be educated by the public about what people like about architecture,” said Susan Speigel, president of the OAA, when explaining the selection criteria.
The association goes to the MPPs and asks for the most important piece of architecture in their riding and they adjudicate the list to pick nine.
Speigel said it leads to some great conversations with the MPPs and members of the senior jurors with the OAA who make the final selections.
This was the first time a building in Sudbury has been chosen for the Queen’s Park Picks.
“There was wood that originally came from Sudbury to help rebuild Chicago after the great Chicago fire. The bread pans are part of Theatre du Nouvel Ontario. Prior to that, it was a bakery, so they had those in there. You have bricks down the hall that are from institutions, like the first francophone school when you weren’t allowed to have people teaching in French and just that history and heritage, combined with the structure of the building and the wood and the cement and metal makes for an obvious choice,” West told CTV News.
West explained the centre began as a pipe dream 12 years ago and has now flourished into a tribute to past and present Francophones within the community. Within the short six months since its completion, locals say the Place des Arts is making its presence known in Greater Sudbury.
“The community has been extremely, how can I say, enthusiastic. And um, it’s not so much that we’ve made an incredible amount of effort but there’s such a level of expectation and I would say pent up demand for this level of caliber,” said Jean-Gilles Pelletier, the centre’s executive director.
Since opening its doors in April, the facility has seen an overwhelming response.
Pelletier said they have already sold 6,000.
“It’s incredible. So we’re very, very, very proud.”
The facility is set to house more amenities in the coming months.
“My wife is French and my kids are French, so having the French bookstore is going to be important because it was a struggle to find children’s books in French,” West added.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
BREAKING Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Fire engulfs old Edmonton municipal airport hangar
A historical hangar at the former Edmonton municipal airport beside the NAIT main campus was on fire Monday night.
Soft skills, preparation can help new graduates land jobs, experts say
As new graduates enter the workforce over the next few weeks, they are likely to face challenges getting their foot in the door and must be prepared to effectively communicate what they bring to the company.
RCMP uncovers plot to sell drones and equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a ploy to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.