By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
The Coaticook Pavilion of Arts and Culture welcomed its first visitors in a year on April 19. During the inaugural press conference, nearly 50 Coaticook residents, local media, and politicians of all levels celebrated the renewal of performances at the Pavilion. The venue, Sisco Memorial Church, underwent 11 months of extensive renovations.
In June 2022, Compton-Stanstead MP Marie-Claude Bibeau and Saint-François MNA Geneviève Hébert announced a $3,617,400 investment to renovate the Pavilion, according to an April 19 press release.
This funding included $1,808,700 from the Community, Cultural, and Recreational Infrastructure component of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program and an equal amount from the Cultural Infrastructure Development Assistance Program (PADIC). The total cost of the renovations approached $5.3 million, with the city of Coaticook contributing $1,664,600.
The renovations enabled the reconstruction of the ground floor structure, a complete overhaul of the stage, the installation of new sanitary blocks on two floors, enhancements to building ventilation, improvements to two dressing rooms and the kitchen, reconfiguration of the administrative sector including the ticket office and a cloakroom, and updates to meet all fire resistance regulations.
More than just a performance hall, the Pavilion serves as a hub for cultural, community, and family gatherings. It has been instrumental in the professional development of artists and has provided locals their first opportunity to perform onstage.
Since its inception in 1923, the Sisco Memorial Church has been a central feature of downtown Coaticook. It underwent significant renovations from 1993 to 1995 when the city acquired and transformed it into a cultural center. As the building celebrated its 100th anniversary, its interior was transformed yet again.
