City of Brockville Has Made Notice of Intention to Designate Brockville Arts Centre & Brockville Public Library as Heritage Properties

Brockville – The City of Brockville has given notice on Thursday of its intention to designate the Brockville Arts Centre and the Brockville Public Library as heritage properties.

Notice of Intention to Pass a Bylaw to Designate 235 King Street West – The Brockville Arts Centre. The Council of the Corporation of the City of Brockville intends to pass a By-Law under Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990, Chapter 0.18, to designate the Brockville Arts Centre to be of cultural heritage value and interest.

Notice of Intention to Pass a Bylaw to Designate 23 Buell Street – The Brockville Public Library. The Council of the Corporation of the City of Brockville intends to pass a By-Law under Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990, Chapter 0.18, to designate the following lands to be of cultural heritage value and interest.

Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest of the Brockville Arts Centre:

The Brockville Arts Centre, originally constructed in 1858 by John Steacy, a prominent Brockville master builder and architect, is a significant example of Italianate architecture and reflects the early civic development of Brockville. Steacy also designed Victoria Hall and contributed to other notable buildings in the city.

The building originally served as Brockville’s first Town Hall, housing municipal services including the police station, lock-up cells, fire hall, and butcher’s market. In 1880, it was converted into an opera house, featuring one of the largest stages in Canada at the time. The 1911 expansion, designed by Canadian architect Andrew Stuart Allaster, introduced the Fly Tower, a rare and significant feature in Canadian theatre architecture, showcasing Beaux-Arts design principles such as symmetry, monumental scale, and rich decorative detailing.

The property continues to serve as a vital cultural venue, hosting performances by renowned entertainers and supporting local theatre and community events.

More information can be found on the following link: https://brockville.com/news/notice-of-intention-to-designate-brockville-arts-centre/

Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest of the Brockville Public Library:

The Brockville Library, previously known as Carnegie Library, is one of 125 libraries across Canada funded by Andrew Carnegie’s Foundation. It is a link to this prominent figure and Brockville’s development as a city.

The library is a vital part of the community and supports education and information sharing within the community. As a landmark in the city, it should be recognized as a cultural and tourism destination.

More information can be found on the following link: https://brockville.com/news/notice-of-intention-to-designate-brockville-public-library/