Mary Winspear Centre

What Mary Winspear Centre does

Mary Winspear Centre is a non-profit multi-use community venue located at 2243 Beacon Avenue in Sidney, British Columbia, on the Saanich Peninsula. The facility comprises approximately 30,000 square feet of indoor space including a 310-seat Charlie White Theatre, an 8,100 sq ft Bodine Hall banquet facility with an adjacent 5,000 sq ft courtyard, a 405 sq ft Lebbetter Boardroom with hybrid meeting technology, three flexible Activity Rooms, a 2,000 sq ft Myfanwy Pavelic Gallery, and an affiliated 41.1-acre Blue Heron Park. Opened in September 2001 as a replacement for the aging SANSCHA Hall, the Centre is operated by the Saanich Peninsula Memorial Park Society (est. 1921) under public trust as a registered charity, with the Mary Winspear Centre Foundation (est. 1996) supporting capital improvements. The Centre is staffed by approximately 17 employees and supplemented by a volunteer program contributing roughly 700 hours per month.

The Centre generates revenue through five primary streams: quote-based venue space rentals, ticket sales commissions on ticketed performances (with ticket prices ranging from $20 to $75+), subscription program fees for the Sea Star Academy musical theatre training program ($700 per 7-week term, $1,400 for both terms), ancillary event services including A/V support and catering coordination, and donations via the Foundation. Its core technology is a standard online ticketing platform with seat selection, SSL-secured transactions, and an OWL camera setup in the boardroom for hybrid meetings. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer, with venue bookings handled through a client services team, online inquiry forms, and a physical box office; event programming is promoted via website, social media (Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky), email newsletter, and partnerships with external event producers.

The Centre serves seven primary customer segments: celebration and event hosts (weddings, banquets, milestone events), performing artists and producers (concerts, comedy, theatre), business and professional event organizers (conferences, trade shows), exhibition and market organizers, memorial and funeral services, youth and family programming participants, and film/TV production. Geographic scope is regional, anchored on the Saanich Peninsula with visitor draw from across British Columbia. The Centre's competitive positioning rests on its scale relative to the local market, central location near ferry/airport terminals, 25-year operational track record, and integration of community trust governance with volunteer-driven cost structure.

Name

Mary Winspear Centre

Legal name

Mary Winspear Centre

Website

https://marywinspear.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Mary Winspear Centre is a non-profit multi-use community venue in Sidney, BC, offering 30,000+ sq ft of rental space including a 310-seat theatre, banquet hall, boardroom, and gallery, serving arts, business, and community events on the Saanich Peninsula.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Event Venue Services

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Multi-Purpose Event Halls & Community Centers (THAHAAAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Concert Halls & Music Venue Operations (Symphony Halls, Recital Venues) (MPAGALAC), Convention & Exhibition Centers (Public Convention Centers, Civic Centers) (THAHAAAA)

Keywords

• Event venue rentals
• Community performing arts
• Conference meeting facilities
• Banquet hall services
• Theatre ticketing services

Headquarters

HQ city

Sidney

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Venue Space Rentals: Rental income from renting various spaces including Charlie White Theatre (310 seats), Bodine Hall (8,100 sq ft), Lebbetter Boardroom (405 sq ft), Activity Rooms, and Myfanwy Pavelic Gallery. Pricing varies by space and event type.
2. Ticket Sales Commission: Box office services for ticketed performances, selling tickets on behalf of event producers and taking a commission on sales
3. Program Fees (Musical Theatre Camps): Sea Star Academy musical theatre training program: $700 per 7-week term, $1,400 for both terms. Sibling discounts available.
4. Event Services: Additional revenue from technical services, catering coordination, box office services, and staff support for events
5. Donations and Foundation Support: The Mary Winspear Centre Foundation supports capital improvements through fundraising efforts

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Mary Winspear Centre is a non-profit multi-use community venue in Sidney, BC, offering rentable event spaces including a 310-seat theatre, an 8,100 sq ft banquet hall, a boardroom with hybrid meeting technology, activity rooms, a gallery, and a 41.1-acre park. The Centre complements its venue rentals with event programming (concerts, comedy shows, theatre productions, conferences, weddings, markets), box office ticketing services, and educational programs such as the Sea Star Academy musical theatre training.

Product overview

The Mary Winspear Centre is a multi-use community venue providing venue rental and event programming services. The core offering consists of six distinct venue spaces: the 310-seat Charlie White Theatre for performances, the 8,100 sq ft Bodine Hall for large gatherings, the Lebbetter Boardroom for meetings, Activity Rooms for flexible smaller events, the Myfanwy Pavelic Gallery for exhibitions, and Blue Heron Park for outdoor recreation. The Centre complements its venue rentals with event programming including concerts, comedy shows, theatre productions, and community events, plus educational programs such as Sea Star Academy musical theatre training and summer camps. Additional services include event planning support, audio-visual services, catering coordination, and ticketing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Charlie White Theatre Premier 310-seat community performance theatre with three seating sections, climate control, private reception lobby, and unobstructed views from all seats including 4 wheelchair accessible spaces; available for rent to performing artists, producers, and event hosts.
• Bodine Hall 8,100 square-foot banquet hall with 18-foot vaulted ceilings, wooden beams, performance stage, adjacent 5,000 square-foot courtyard, and catering kitchen; ideal for large gatherings, trade shows, weddings, and galas.
• Lebbetter Boardroom 405 square-foot boardroom with 8-foot ceilings, comfortable furniture, 4K screen, OWL hybrid meeting setup, and A/V support for productive smaller meetings.
• Activity Rooms Three flexible meeting rooms (797 to 1,875 square feet) with natural lighting, hardwood floors, wet bars, flat screen monitors, and exterior entrances; includes divisible Room 2 for concurrent meetings.
• Myfanwy Pavelic Gallery 2,000 square-foot gallery space featuring halogen track lighting for exhibitions, art displays, and reception events.
• Blue Heron Park 41.1-acre outdoor park with walking trails, leased areas for Peninsula Soccer Association and Saanich Schools, and forested recreation areas maintained by the Memorial Park Society.
• Sea Star Academy Professional musical theatre training program for young performers ages 8-18, featuring 14-week programs with instruction in singing, acting, and dance technique culminating in staged performances in the Charlie White Theatre.
• Musical Theatre Summer Camp Immersive musical theatre camp for ages 8-18 taught by Sea Star Productions, ending with Broadway musical performances in the Charlie White Theatre.
• Event Ticketing Services Online ticket purchasing system for all events, with box office support, wheelchair accessible seating, and various ticket pricing tiers.
• Event Planning & Support Services Comprehensive event services including logistical planning, room setup, audio-visual support, catering coordination, technical staff assistance, and box office services for ticketed functions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Hosts thousands of events annually including concerts, conferences, trade shows, and community celebrations
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Saanich Peninsula Memorial Park Society (MPS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2001The MPS serves as trustee overseeing the Mary Winspear Centre and Blue Heron Park on behalf of residents of the Saanich Peninsula. The Society was central to planning and construction of the Centre and continues to manage operations. Established in 1921, the non-profit holds the property under public trust.
• Mary Winspear Centre FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1996The Foundation, formerly SANSCHA Community Cultural Centre Foundation, was established in 1996 to raise funds for the Centre's development. Currently focused on raising funds for essential capital improvements and building upgrades to maintain the facility.
• Sea Star ProductionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSea Star Productions partners with the Centre to deliver Sea Star Academy musical theatre training programs for youth ages 8-18. Programs include summer camps and after-school training culminating in fully staged productions at the Charlie White Theatre.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• McPherson Playhouse: A ~772-seat Victoria, BC performing arts venue operated alongside the Royal Theatre. Comparable in that it serves the same Vancouver Island market for live performance, community theatre, and rental events, but in a larger and more central downtown location.
• Cowichan Performing Arts Centre: A multi-use performing arts and community facility in Duncan, BC, presenting concerts, theatre, and cultural programming. Comparable as a Vancouver Island community venue that combines performance and event rental under a similar non-profit model.
• Royal Theatre (Victoria): A ~1,400-seat historic performing arts venue in Victoria, BC, operated by the Royal & McPherson Theatres Society. Directly comparable as a Vancouver Island-based theatre offering similar ticketed concerts, comedy, and theatrical events, but at substantially larger scale and with deeper touring draw.
• Farquhar Auditorium (University of Victoria): A ~1,300-seat performing arts venue at the University of Victoria that hosts concerts, lectures, and ceremonies. Comparable as a regional Vancouver Island performance venue competing for the same touring acts and rental clients.
• Port Theatre (Nanaimo): A ~800-seat performing arts centre in Nanaimo, BC, hosting concerts, comedy, community theatre, and conferences on Vancouver Island. Comparable in business model (mixed rental and ticketed programming) and in serving a mid-sized Island community as a regional cultural hub.
• Vancouver Island Convention Centre (Nanaimo): A purpose-built conference and convention facility in Nanaimo, BC, hosting trade shows, meetings, and banquets. Comparable in competing for Vancouver Island conference and banquet business that the Mary Winspear Centre pursues through its Bodine Hall and Lebbetter Boardroom.

Direct peers

• Kay Meek Centre (North Vancouver): A 200+ seat performing arts and community venue in North Vancouver, BC, presenting concerts, theatre, dance, and community programs under a non-profit cultural model. Closely comparable in scale, programming mix, and community-anchored non-profit structure, although serving a different Lower Mainland geography.
• Surrey Arts Centre: A multi-space City of Surrey facility that combines a 400-seat main stage theatre with studios, gallery, and program rooms. Comparable as a multi-use community arts centre offering performance, rentals, classes, and exhibitions in a non-profit/municipal operating model, though in a much larger Lower Mainland market.

Others

• Sidney Community Bus / SHOAL Centre (recreation adjacent): A community recreation and activity centre in Sidney, BC, that hosts local events, programs, and gatherings. Comparable in serving the same Saanich Peninsula community for smaller-scale events and as a potential substitute for some meeting and program rentals.

Emerging players

• Belfry Theatre (Victoria): A ~300-seat professional theatre company in Victoria, BC, producing and presenting live theatre. Comparable as a Vancouver Island live-performance venue of similar scale to the Charlie White Theatre, but focused on produced theatre rather than rental-based programming.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/marywinspear
• Instagraminstagram.com/marywinspearcentre
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mary-winspear-centre

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mary Winspear Centre