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 770-seat concert hall, 300-seat recital hall, 210-seat multi-purpose dance/theatre venue, and the 199-seat Film House.
The creation of the centre spurred a cultural and economic renaissance in downtown St. Catharines along with its neighbouring Meridian Centre and Brock University's Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts.