Brock Dean of Humanities Douglas Kneale stands in front of the new Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts, which will open in September 2015.
When Brock’s new arts school opens in September 2015, Douglas Kneale anticipates students from across Ontario will be lured to the cutting-edge facility in downtown St. Catharines.
Kneale would know.
Four years ago, after spending 25 years at Western University, Kneale jumped at the chance to join Brock as its Dean of Humanities.
There were many reasons, but one that stood out was the chance to be a part of the transition to a new school expected to help revitalize a city.
“We will have world-class facilities for students in the fine and performing arts, and for any student who wants to get an outstanding education in drama or music or visual arts, this is the place to come,” Kneale said during a recent tour of the school, which is now 75% complete. “I think applicants in fine and performing arts will be beating a path to our door to come on board at the new Marilyn I. Walker school.”
Construction is on schedule in preparation for the first day of classes Sept. 8, 2015. The $45-million project is a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity, Kneale said.
In addition to a complete range of studios, classrooms, offices, computer commons and lecture halls in support of all departments, the new school will also feature a dedicated 235-seat theatre for the Dramatic Arts program, along with four rehearsal/teaching/research studios.
Brock students will also have use of St. Catharines’ adjacent Performing Arts Centre with the Cairns Recital Hall, and film theatre/multipurpose classroom, which will be Brock’s main lecture hall.
“The collaboration between town and gown is really special,” Kneale said. “You don’t find it in every university town, but this has really been a partnership between the academic side and the city side, and it’s a great opportunity for our students, faculty and staff.”
It’s been an exciting yet sometimes challenging experience retrofitting a 19th century Victorian factory into a modern arts school that will hold close to 500 students.
Environmental remediation, ecological assessments, seismic tests, and Aboriginal evaluations all pushed groundbreaking back to May 2013.
Chimney swifts – an at-risk bird – were found in the chimney before a portion of it was reduced, which provided another obstacle to workers who tried not to disrupt the birds during mating season.
“There’s so much that was being done behind the scenes that made it look like nothing was happening, when in fact lots was going on,” Kneale said.
Much has been done to retain as much of the original building’s historical character as possible, bringing new life to the red brick and limestone on the outside of the building and wooden beams and flooring on the inside.
Only about 30% of the 94,000 square-foot project is new construction. There are new windows, state-of-the-art soundproofing, and a versatile theatre with flexible stage and seating, among other modern amenities.
“There’s an awful lot of history here,” Kneale said. “For a school of fine and performing arts, this sort of post-industrial, loft feel is perfect for what’s going to happen here. It’s an engine of innovation.
“We’re making tremendous progress now.”
Faculty and staff will start moving into the school in May 2015. Logistics are still being worked out, but transporting everything from the main Brock campus to the downtown facility won’t be easy.
“There are going to be a million things to think about, but it’s hugely exciting to have this opportunity,” Kneale said. “It’s really going to be transformative for the downtown core, for the city and for the region.”
