February 25, 2026

The Ron and Erma Hawkes Centre for the Arts is featured in The Globe and Mail in an article by David McPherson. In the piece, McPherson describes how the Centre’s design reimagines a single-purpose theatre as a multi-functional community hub, while respecting and honouring its context.

The 72,000-square-foot Centre will replace the Fredericton Playhouse, more than doubling the size of the existing facility. Inspired by the region’s geography, community, local industry, and Indigenous culture, the Centre is defined by community engagement and a deep commitment to the arts.

Located in the cultural and historic heart of New Brunswick’s capital along the banks of the Saint John River, the Centre takes its design inspiration from the river’s flow. “The Saint John River is central to the Wolastoqey Nation’s culture, and it’s central to the industrial and arts culture of not just the City of Fredericton, but of that region of the province,” says Principal Gary McCluskie. “The river is so much a part of their psyche. This river that can and still floods became part of the conversation we had about the building’s aesthetic.” This influence is reflected in the undulating glazing of the façade, which mimics “the rippling waves and the shards of ice in the frozen river,” adds McCluskie.

More than a theatre, the Ron and Erma Hawkes Centre for the Arts will serve as a “community living room” and an inclusive gathering space for locals, artists, musicians, and visitors. Rather than opening only for evening performances, it features a multi-level, brightly lit lobby and a daytime café designed for casual congregation and connection with the streetscape. “Currently, we have one room where people come in, sit down, have an experience, and then leave,” says Executive Director Tim Yerxa. “If you have only one room, your hands are tied to presenting just one category of artists.” The new design addresses this by replacing the single-purpose theatre with two formal performance venues—the main hall and the Wilma Clark Theatre—alongside a third multi-purpose studio for rehearsals, small performances, workshops, and community gatherings.

Sustainability, local industry, and community consultation are central to the project. While pursuing certification under the Canada Green Building Council’s Zero Carbon Building Standards, the Centre’s construction materials honour both the community and New Brunswick’s lumber industry. Consistent with Downtown Fredericton’s heritage buildings and architectural styles, the design features exterior brick and interior wood.

Principal Gary McCluskie calls the Centre a landmark moment for the region, noting: “This really is a generational project for Fredericton. There was an intersection of great energy, great design, and the result will be a great facility for the community.”

The project is designed by Diamond Schmitt, in association with EXP.

Read the full article in The Globe and Mail.