A voting by the Kingston City Council will be made next week in order to decide on the university’s proposed renovations to existing buildings on the site of the new Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts.
Proposed plans for the renovation include preserving and restoring all interior windows as well as replacing some exterior windows with more sustainable reproductions. In addition, a chimney will be removed and wooden structures on the interior walls and ceilings will be refurbished for display.
Although a presentation about the outstanding heritage components in the performing arts centre’s design was made by Queen’s at last months’s council meeting, voting has been pushed back to a later meeting date. Due to the accommodation of other delegations from out of town as well as time constraints, the vote has now been rescheduled for the 7th of September.
Commenting on the present situation, Ann Browne, Associate Vice-Principal (Facilities) said “We are grateful for the help, support and guidance provided by the city’s Heritage Committee, with whom we have worked over the past three years on this exciting, collaborative project.”
Ms. Brown continued “Queen’s will continue its commitment to ensure the success of our joint endeavour. The university is committed to respecting the history of the buildings, while being fiscally responsible within our budget.”
To be built at 370 King Street West, the new performing arts centre will be a world-class teaching and performance venue for students, faculty and artists. Apart from encouraging regional cultural tourism, the facility will also promote collaborations among Kingston-area and Queen’s arts groups.
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Image courtesy Queen’s University News Centre.
Caption: Architects’ rendering of Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts