History of the Sanderson Centre Theatre

Summary: Opened in 1919 as the Temple Theatre and designed by the renowned Scottish Architect, Thomas W. Lamb, the building was originally a vaudeville and silent movie house.  Lamb also designed the Elgin / Winter Garden and Pantages Theatres.  By 1929, Famous Players owned the theatre and changed its name to the Capitol Theatre.  The Capitol was purchased by the Corporation of the City of Brantford in 1985.  The vision was to re-establish the building as a centre for performing arts.  In 1991, the Sanderson Centre was awarded the prestigious “Theatre Preservation Award“ by the League of Historic American Theatres.  Previous winners included Carnegie Hall in New York City and Elgin Winter Garden in Toronto.

For more information, please visit: www.sandersoncentre.ca

History of the Sanderson Centre Foundation

Summary:  In 1987, after the purchase of the Capitol Theatre by the city, a group of citizens (The Brantford Heritage Theatre Foundation) spearheaded a highly successful fund raising campaign for the restoration and renovation of the theatre.  Following the renaming of the theatre, in 2002, The Brantford Heritage Theatre Foundation became the Sanderson Centre Foundation committed to continuing the work of the original group of dedicated citizens.

In the beginning there was a dream, a possible transformation of a venerable old lady who had served the citizens of Brantford well but who found herself somewhat behind the times, and whose owner wanted to part with her. Some forward-looking folks saw an opportunity to realize the dream, the establishment of a centre for the performing arts in Brantford.

The City was amenable to moving ahead with this venture and April 1986 saw Letters Patent being issued to a small group of involved citizens, the Capitol Theatre Steering Committee under the banner of Capitol Theatre Heritage Brantford. The building was purchased by the City in 1987 and the group held its first meeting February 8, 1987. Gordon Glaves was elected as the first president, with Patrick Marcotte, theatre manager, as Secretary-Treasurer. Other members of the group were Marion Beckett, Howard Gaul, Richard Miller, Kenneth Lefebvre, Donald Francis, and Joseph Springall. Howard Gaul was soon replaced by Thomas Hart. One of their first tasks was to establish goals and objectives, which became:

1)    To maintain, operate, and manage the theatre in the public interest
2)    To provide theatrical facilities and services of every kind within the City of Brantford for:
a)    Amusement, entertainment, and exhibition,
b)    Receptions, meetings, and displays,
c)    Educational and cultural activities,
d)    The performing arts, including dramatic, theatrical, musical, and artistic works.
3)    To promote the development of its facilities as a centre for amusement, entertainment, and exhibition.

The original Capitol Theatre Steering Committee had seen the establishing of a centre for the performing arts as a complement to the future International Telecommunications Discovery Centre, all of which would improve the quality of life through wholesome entertainment available to all the citizens of Brantford.

The Telecommunications Centre was not to be but Heritage Brantford was moving ahead with the establishing of a Fundraising Executive Committee. Jeff Noble was Campaign Chair, Bert Nyman was Vice Chair, and Paul Moore was Campaign Director with Martin (Rocky) Rocheleau as Campaign Coordinator. The campaign goal for all renovations was $5,100,000. Costs were to be shared among the three levels of government accompanied by a general fund raising amongst the citizenry.

A major contribution by Elsie Sanderson called attention to the need to rename the theatre and in December 1989 it received its current name. The first performance in its new life as the Sanderson Centre for Performing Arts was Evita in October 1986. Renovations began with Phase I being done in 1987 with the theatre still operating. Phase II, with renovations to Front of House required closing the theatre in June 1988 but its completion was celebrated by a Hagood Hardy Gala in January 1989. Phase III, the biggest renovation to Back of House required a closing of slightly over a year, and its completion was celebrated by an Anne Murray Gala. During all these renovations the members of the Theatre Heritage Brantford Foundation were tireless in their efforts to raise the necessary funds. A Donations Tree was established on the wall in the lobby to honour those who made contributions at various levels.

In 1992, the Foundation was responsible for completing the project Heritage Rehearsal Hall that honoured the efforts and significant contributions of Gordon Glaves and Bert Nyman. These men were driving forces behind the successful fund raising campaign. Since then the Hall has been renamed the Ray Southcott Heritage Hall to commemorate another hard-working theatre member.

2004 saw a change in the name of the Foundation. To better reflect its mandate of dedication to the enhancement of the Sanderson Centre and the theatre experience of its patrons, it is now known as the Sanderson Centre Foundation and proudly looks back over its many accomplishments, such as:

• Auditorium seats and aisle lighting
• Orchestra pit
• Sound System
• Video projection system, including retractable screen
• Stage drapery and curtain motor.

The Foundation continues to undertake projects for the benefit of the Sanderson Centre with input from members of the Sanderson Centre Staff.