Parry Sound Rehabilitates Popular Outdoor Space

Critical upgrades at Parry Sound's popular Charles W. Stockey Centre for the Performing Arts means people can keep enjoying the space for local community events. 

The Charles W. Stockey Centre for the Performing Arts sits on 3.5 acres on the shores of Georgian Bay. The 27,000 square-foot facility opened in 2003, and houses a 400-seat acoustically sound festival performance hall and an interactive hockey museum celebrating many Northern Ontario sports heroes, including Bobby Orr. 

To reflect the unique natural beauty of the area, the building was designed to have the appearance and atmosphere of a Georgian Bay cottage. The use of the area’s natural stone and indigenous trees, pine beams and granite from the local quarry add a special intimacy to the interior of the concert hall. This includes an outdoor bayside deck, used for summertime performances and cultural events.

Post-COVID, a number of in-person events resumed at the centre. However, the bayside deck had been separating from the building for a number of years and was in need of repair. 

Parry Sound invested the Canada Community-Building Fund into restoration of the outdoor space in early 2022, and completed the repairs just before the start of the busy performance season.  

Thanks to these investments, the Town completed the $118,000 project without interrupting the centre's planned seasonal events, and ensured visitors could still enjoy the space - both indoors and out.