West End Cultural Centre

sustainability 
LEED® Silver

location 
586 Ellice Ave.
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada 

client 
West End Cultural Centre 

consultants 
S/ Kowalchuk Eng. Ltd.
M/ Faraci Eng. Ltd.
E/ MCW/AGE

contractor 
Milestone Project Management  

area 
16,000 sf 

cost 
$3.5 Million

status
Completed 2009

download the sustainable features brochure

The West End Cultural Centre (WECC) project is a 16,000 sf performance venue, rehearsal and administration space comprised of a new 400 seat theatre addition complete with a new mezzanine viewing gallery. The project also included the redevelopment of an existing heritage church built in 1909 and re-envisioned to house a new accessible entrance, reception lobby, public washrooms, a large multi-purpose lobby / banquet hall and administration spaces in the basement. 

The performance venue addition was located to the south on two adjoining vacant lots and included the closing of a public lane.  The venue features a 900 s.f. stage, green room, support spaces and modern technological sound and lighting systems throughout. Prairie consulted directly with CBC to include provisions in the development to accommodate future CBC broadcasting and recording of live WECC shows. 

The project was complete with a geothermal heating, passive cooling system and utilized recycled materials including interior glass walls, oak doors and frames, theatre seating, carpets in the basement and toilet partitions. The $3.5 million LEED Silver building opened in June 2009.

Revamped WECC bigger and better, Winnipeg Free Press