Algoma Conservatory moving to new home

NEWS RELEASES

 

BLUEFOREST VENTURES INC AND ALGOMA CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC 

 

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Establishing a music legacy in Sault Ste. Marie for today and tomorrow

 

The Algoma Conservatory of Music has acquired the historically designated General Administration Building at the former St. Mary's Paper Mill site, now known as Mill Square.

 

This extraordinary sandstone structure was completed in 1901 by Francis H. Clergue as his North American Headquarters. It will become the new home of the Algoma Conservatory in September 2014.

 

Building on its 42 year reputation of excellence, the Conservatory can now expand programs that were limited because of inadequate space.

 

A Phase 1 Capital Campaign will be launched later this winter to fund the purchase and required renovations.

 

This will establish one of the most distinctive music education centres in Canada, will assist in the redevelopment of the Canal District and Mill Square, and breathe a second century of life into this irreplaceable local landmark—establishing a music legacy for Sault Ste. Marie.

 

Featuring unique and elegant studios with soaring ceilings, massive oak framed windows, stained glass, slate roof and a picture perfect staircase, this is certainly one of the most remarkable buildings in Sault Ste. Marie.

 

Only minimal room alterations will be required, making it possible to preserve the heritage character.

 

Renovations will bring the building up to code and will create a state-of-the-art music education and performance centre.

 

In addition to teaching studios the Conservatory will house an elegant performance space with outstanding acoustics and excellent sound, lights, projection and recording equipment.

 

There will also be a reception/dining area and kitchen.

 

This new venue will be perfect for the Conservatory's many smaller events and will be available for a wide range of Community functions including concerts, films, business meetings and weddings. Aperpetual parking easement will provide convenient free parking.

 

The Conservatory is the only building at Mill Square currently protected through a Canadian Historic Site designation.

 

The community is fortunate that Blueforest Ventures Inc. took great effort to preserve all five of the historic sandstone buildings, the foundation for the site's re-invention as Mill Square—a vibrant mixed-use, urban village development founded on Algoma's natural wealth in arts and culture as well as the wilderness experience.

 

The Conservatory is thrilled to be a part of this exciting new downtown development.

 

For more information on the Algoma Conservatory of Music and the site of its new location at Mill Square, visit:

www.algomaconservatory.com and www.millsquare.ca

 

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An Historic New Home – Algoma Conservatory of Music

The Algoma Conservatory of Music has signed an agreement with Blueforest Ventures Inc. to acquire the historically designated General Administration Building at the former St. Mary's Paper Mill.  It is located at the south end of Huron Street just a two minute drive from Station Mall. This fabulous sandstone structure, completed in1901 by Francis H. Clergue as his North American headquarters, is one of the finest existing examples of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture.

The Conservatory plans to open at the new facility in September 2014.  A Phase 1 Capital Campaign will be launched later this winter to fund the purchase and required renovations.  Building on its 42 year reputation of excellence, the Conservatory can now expand programs that were limited because of inadequate space at its current facility.   This will establish one of the most distinctive music education centres in Canada, will assist in the redevelopment of the Canal District and Mill Square, and breathe a second century of life into an irreplaceable local landmark.

Featuring unique and elegant studios with soaring ceilings, massive oak framed windows, stained glass, slate roof and a picture perfect staircase, this is certainly one of the most remarkable buildings in Sault Ste. Marie. Only minimal room alterations will be required making it possible to preserve the heritage character.  Renovations will bring the building up to code and will create a state-of-the-art music education and performance centre.  Historic furnishings and documents will also be preserved and displayed.  Francis H. Clergue spared no expense in creating a building to serve as headquarters for the railway, steel company, power plants, paper mill, mines, logging operations and shipping company under his control. Today, this building is officially listed in the Canadian Register of Historic Places.

In addition to teaching studios The Conservatory will house an elegant performance space with outstanding acoustics and excellent sound, lights, projection and recording equipment.  There will also be a reception/dining area and kitchen. This new venue will be perfect for the Conservatory's many smaller events and will be available for a wide range of community functions including concerts, films, business meetings and weddings.  A perpetual parking easement will provide convenient free parking.

The Conservatory is the largest non-profit, charitable arts organization in the city and one of the largest non-profit music schools in the province. All of the current Algoma Conservatory programs will be relocated to the new facility.  Activities include: music instruction for hundreds of students with a core of professional faculty; several levels of community youth orchestras and choirs; other vocal and instrumental ensembles; Algoma Conservatory Concerts which presents a full season of renowned international and Canadian touring ensembles and soloists; and the Sault Ste. Marie Music Festival which provides sessions with guest adjudicators for hundreds of music students every year.  The Conservatory will now be able to develop an array of new music programs and performances that will encompass all styles of music.

As only the Conservatory building was protected through a Canadian Historic Site designation, our community is very fortunate that Blue Forest Ventures Inc. took great effort to preserve all five of the historic sandstone buildings: The General Office Building (now The Conservatory), The Machine Shop, The Pulp Tower, Yard Locker and The Board Mill are the foundation for the re-invention of the former St. Mary's Paper site as Mill Square - a vibrant mixed-use, urban village development founded on Algoma's natural wealth in arts and culture as well as the wilderness experience. We are thrilled that the Conservatory will be part of this exciting phoenix.

Directly next to the Conservatory is The Machine shop where in 1901 Wescott's Orchestra and the Fireman's Band were hosted to celebrate the opening of Mill #1. In 2012 and 2013 The Machine Shop, with its naturally rich acoustics, hosted performances for the Algoma Fall Festival and presented its tremendous potential as a large performance and special event venue.

Just west of the Machine Shop is the towering, castle-like Pulp Tower.  It is proposed to be the home of Destination North, a living centre for ecology, culture and the wilderness experience. Neighbouring The Pulp Tower sits the Board Mill with a proposed redevelopment as The Board Mill Market, a regional food hub bringing diversified local food and drink to market.

This creative re-invention and the adjacent developments surrounding it have led the City of Sault Ste. Marie to develop the “Canal District”, an integrated urban revitalization plan that includes Mill Square and the Historic Sault Ste. Marie Canal as part of the larger downtown revitalization strategy.  The Algoma Conservatory of Music will be an integral part of these exciting new developments and will serve as a vibrant music centre for virtually everyone in our community.

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