Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre's grand opening delayed again because of supply-chain issues

The Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre is still waiting for its close-up for the community.

Although events, classes and summer camps are being held at the $21-million facility, the long-awaited grand opening, along with its jam-packed musical and theatre events, has yet to take place.

Colin Lapsley, general manager of the arts centre, said they have yet to receive delivery of the facility's 450 red velvety, wood-back seats.

We have been told they are being held by Canada Border Services Agency," he said. The first we heard of that was five weeks ago. Frustrating."

But he received information on July 18 the seats have been shipped to Ancaster.

Lapsley said as time goes by, he is being forced to cancel events one by one."

The city, he said, has granted the facility partial occupancy," allowing groups to run summer camps for children and other small events in the Voortman Studio Theatre.

So far so good," he said. The silver lining is that we get a chance to work out the kinks before things really get going (hopefully) in September."

Ancaster Coun. Lloyd Ferguson, who has called the arts centre a legacy" project for his political career, said he has discussed the situation with federal officials, including Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas Liberal MP and minister of public services and procurement Filomena Tassi.

It is a frustrating situation," he said.

The arts centre had been scheduled to hold its grand opening on June 11 during Heritage Days, but it was cancelled because of a carpenters' strike involving 15,000 members of the United Brotherhoood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. Once it was settled in late May, work was quickly underway on the centre's Wilson Street entrance and inside the facility.

The arts facility is currently advertising tickets on sale for the musical Rent" for Aug. 17; Theatre Ancaster's The British Invasion: The Concert" rescheduled from June to Sept.16; Tapestry: The Carole King Songbook on July 29; and Sass Jordan set for Oct. 21.

The centre has experienced a series of opening delays. The original date for the facility to open had been the fall of 2021, but COVID-19 and various ongoing supply chain issues had pushed the completion date to the end of February or early March 2022. The schedule was revised again to April, then June to coincide with the return of Heritage Days.

A tour of the facility revealed a state-of-the-art facility reconstructed within the remains of the former Ancaster Memorial Elementary School building. The main hall itself is comparable to an arts facility in a major metropolitan area, with updated sound and lighting technology, 14 barrier-free seating areas, a 32-foot stage, and orchestra pit where performers are able to look out over the audience.

It's a different beast than Hamilton Place," said Lapsley, during the tour.

All the facility essentially needs now are the seats.

STORY BEHIND THE STORY: We have been following developments for the long-awaited Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre since the facility first broke ground.