Elliot Lake Civic Centre
Dedicated to the Right Honourable Lester B. Pearson, Canada's 14th Prime Minister and Member of Parliament for the Elliot Lake riding (Algoma Manitoulin). He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1957 for his role in defusing the Suez Crisis through the United Nations. Pictures abound in the halls of the building of Mr. Pearson hosting BBQs and meeting residents in Elliot Lake in the 1950s and 60s.
The theatre holds 360 people comfortably and hosts events from various musical and other performing artists on tour, local community theatre, press conferences, public meetings and is available for rent by large groups and conventions.
The Elliot Lake and District Chamber of Commerce, the Elliot Lake Residential Development Commission and the Big Brothers/Big Sisters local chapter have offices in the building, among many other groups.
The Civic Centre is also the centre of activity for artistic endeavours of our citizens. Local artists, budding artists and/or hobbyists can enjoy various rooms set up with looms and weaving equipment, a general art workshop and a pottery studio. Local artists have art hanging in the halls and walls of the building, on display to present the community with a snapshot of the some of the talent that Elliot Lake has to offer.
Speaking of talent, community theatre groups like the Elliot Lake Amateur Theater Ensemble (ELATE) and the Stage Door Players both have rehearsal and storage rooms in the basement of the building. ELATE practices stage direction, performs plays and focuses on acting as well as lighting and sound. ELATE members have written and directed their own plays and perform works by other authors as well as host workshops on acting and host traveling stage performances.
The Stage Door Players (SDP) are a lively group of performers who put together extravagant and entertaining shows lip-synched to popular music, complete with ambitious and professional sets and elaborate costumes. SDPs shows have sold out the auditorium on a number of occasions, to date the only non-profit group to sell out the 360-seat theatre, and all net proceeds of the ticket sales go to local charities.
