Our Performance Spaces Today

Lethbridge’s performance spaces — including auditoriums, churches, and community halls — are a testament to the dedication of local artists and organizations. However, they share one thing in common: significant limitations that create barriers for both performers and audiences.

Key challenges include:

• Uncomfortable seating
• Limited parking for large events
• Small lobbies and front-of-house areas
• Inadequate stage size
• Too few restrooms and accessibility barriers
• No on-site ticketing services
• Poor sightlines
• Uneven or inadequate acoustics

There are no dedicated performing arts venues in Lethbridge larger than 500 seats, and only the University Theatre has a fly system — a network of ropes, pulleys, and counterweights that allows stage crews to lift curtains, scenery, and lighting safely and efficiently.

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By the Numbers

An inventory of traditional performance venues shows that Lethbridge has a total capacity of 925 performance venue seats, or 0.008 seats per capita — far below other comparable cities.

For context:

• Lethbridge: 0.008 seats per capita (925 seats total)
• Medicine Hat: 0.019 seats per capita
• Red Deer: 0.016 seats per capita

This means Lethbridge residents have roughly half the access to performing arts spaces as residents in other mid-sized Alberta cities.

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The Yates Renewal

The Genevieve E. Yates Memorial Centre, built in 1966, has been a cornerstone of Lethbridge’s performing arts scene for decades. It has hosted countless productions by Lethbridge Musical Theatre, New West Theatre, schools, and dance festivals.

Between 2017 and 2018, the City of Lethbridge completed major upgrades to the Yates and the Sterndale Bennett Theatre to address accessibility, safety, and technical deficiencies.

Highlights of the renovation included:

• Addition of two elevators and barrier-free washrooms
• Acoustic and lighting improvements
• New sprinklers, mechanical, and electrical systems
• Re-roofing and water main upgrades
• Replacement of all Yates auditorium seating

These enhancements modernized the Yates and extended its lifespan — but they did not increase seating capacity or resolve the city’s need for a larger, technically equipped performing arts venue.

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Continuing Facility Gaps

Despite the Yates renewal, Lethbridge still lacks:

• A modern venue with 1000-2000 seats capable of hosting large-scale productions and touring acts.
• Adequate rehearsal and back-of-house space for local performing arts organizations.
• Venues with modern acoustics and staging technology to attract major performances and touring artists.

As a result, many local groups continue to perform in churches, schools, or bars, where audiences face limited amenities such as comfortable seating, ticketing services, and accessible washrooms.

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Facility Inventory: At a Glance

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Looking Forward

Lethbridge’s artistic community has maximized every square foot of existing space. But to continue growing — and to remain competitive with other mid-sized cities — we need a purpose-built Performing Arts Centre that offers:

• Modern acoustics and stage technology
• Flexible spaces for all disciplines
• Audience amenities that meet current expectations
• Room for community growth and professional touring productions

A new Performing Arts Centre will ensure that Lethbridge’s talent has a home — one that reflects the city’s creativity, ambition, and future.