The City of Pickering was looking to redevelop and redefine its urban downtown core as a singular, walkable neighbourhood that arises from the merging of municipal infrastructure retail services and residential intensification. The masterplan developed by architects—Alliance incorporates housing, a central library, youth and seniors centre, and a civic plaza addressing the Pickering City Hall and Esplanade Park. The Pickering Performing Arts Centre (PPAC) will become a key component of this initiative, providing a building that fits within the design aspirations of the masterplan.

The PPAC will be the heart of a vibrant new ‘downtown’ community, to be located on a 15-acre site created by partial demolition of the existing Pickering Town Centre shopping mall. It provides a venue for major shows to be brought to Durham Region as well as spaces for children’s dance classes, weddings and various community gatherings. The programme consists of a 600-seat auditorium with acoustic and staging flexibility to accommodate vocal performances, orchestral music and amplified musical performance, as well as a rehearsal theatre/rehearsal space. A plaza serves as a patio for the theatre café and a venue for outdoor performances. The theatre is designed to maximize barrier-free access. Entry points into the PAC, theatre cross aisle, side balconies and stage are set at the same elevation.