A Community-First Vision
A thriving gateway for culture, learning, and connection.
176 Wellington St., Niagara-on-the-Lake
Every community flourishes when creativity, learning, and a sense of belonging are woven into everyday life. Niagara-on-the-Lake has long been celebrated for its outstanding professional theatre and rich heritage. What has been missing is a shared space — an incubator where local talent, curiosity, and community spirit can come together and grow.
The vision for 176 Wellington Street fills that void. It builds on Niagara’s strengths by providing a home for the third pillar of cultural life: the everyday creators, learners, and community groups that give a town its heartbeat.
Here, children will ignite their first sparks of creativity, students will perform and learn, adults will gather to exchange skills and ideas, and older residents will stay connected through the arts, wellness, and lifelong learning. Accessibility and inclusion are at the core — every space, program, and pathway will be designed to welcome people of all ages and abilities.
We are not attempting to replicate the Shaw. We aim to complete the circle. 176 Wellington will become a place where the professional, the historic, and the community come together — where creativity is not reserved for a few but shared by all.
As demonstrated in places like cSPACE Marda Loop in Calgary, below, when art, education, and community life share a home, a building becomes much more than bricks and mortar. It transforms into a living commons — a space that keeps the past alive while shaping the future.
176 Wellington will do exactly that: an open door, a public trust, and a cultural home for Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Filling the Gap:
A Place for the Whole Community
“The former hospital was built by the people it served. It deserves a future that serves them again.”
“We have the chance to do this right — to protect a public asset and give it new life for generations to come.”
Highlights of the Vision
An Interactive Slideshow
RESOURCES
Vision Supported by Community
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Abacus Data Survey
Conducted by Abacus Data, commissioned by the James A. Burton & Family Foundation to determine whether the project was supported by the community and viable (October 2024).
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Summary of Findings from the Abacus Survey
A concise summary of findings that are applicable to our vision of 176 Wellington
CONTACT
Susan St. Amand, President and CEO
susanst@jabff.com
Jordie Burton, Community Engagement
jordieburton@jabff.com
For Public and Media Enquiries
Kathryn Hendrick, Communications
khendrick@jabff.com
(416) 277-6281
James A. Burton & Family Foundation
The JABFF is committed to supporting communities and supporting the organizations and champions that make them thrive. The vision for 176 Wellington is built around community champions that contribute to a beautiful and meaningful life within Niagara.