Saved from demolition, a truly special place
Lynn Mitges
Province
Back in 1997, CPR steam engine Number 341 was moved into its new home while an operator manoeuvred a replica model. FILE PHOTO — THE PROVINCE
For 10 years, this big beauty has been making friends and influencing people.
It was 10 years ago today that the Roundhouse Community Centre first opened its doors to the public and took its place as a new beacon to community arts programming.
Within a decade, the Roundhouse has become a lifeline for artists, performers, the community, and every member of the family.
The celebration features several upcoming events and fundraisers, but the big deal is the Roundhouse 10th Anniversary Community Bash block party on May 12 from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. If you have a child who’s 10 years old, they, too, get to celebrate the first decade.
Mostly, it’s an opportunity for those who’ve made the Roundhouse such a success to say thanks to the public.
“So many times you get the building but then don’t get the funding to do anything,” says one of the Roundhouse arts programmers Elizabeth Kidd.
“We’ve got the whole package and we have enormous support,” she says.
There’s no other place in North America like the Roundhouse, which not only embraces all art forms and offers them to the public, but it’s a community centre with working studios and a gym. It’s arts and sports for all ages of any ability or interest.
“It really works well,” says Kidd. “The driving belief has been the strong passion that we have.”
Originally part of a cluster of structures that housed steam locomotives, the Roundhouse was built in 1988. When steam locomotives were shunted aside for diesel-powered engines, the Roundhouse sat unused for years. It was only through loud public protest that the building wasn’t demolished. The building was restored for Expo 86, but then sat empty again until 1990 when the plan was hatched to revitalize the building as a public amenity. Construction started in 1995, the building was turned over to the Park Board in 1997 and opened to the public on May 3, 1997. Check roundhouse.ca for events.
