Centre in the Square unveils seating and accessibility upgrades

It will be significantly more comfortable next time the public watches a performance at the Centre in the Square (CITS).

The facility unveiled the results of its Seating Revitalization Project on Friday, which saw the installation of new plush and wider seats. In a press release, CITS officials said more than 1,700 seats have been replaced while keeping most to the original layout without compromising legroom.

The revitalization also included the dramatic expansion of overall accessible capacity. That includes an entire row of 45 seats that can be converted to accommodate accessibility devices of all types.

Funding for the upgrades came in the form of $540,000 from the Federal government’s Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program and $449,955 from the province that was used for the new seats and improvements to the facilities elevators.

The remainder of the money, $1,134,000 was raised by the Centre’s Name-A-Seat campaign and Capital Improvement fees.

“The Centre in the Square is a cultural landmark in our city, and these updates ensure that it remains a welcoming space for everyone,” Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic, said in the press release. “Projects like this strengthen our community, ensuring that people of all abilities can come together to share in the unique experiences that live performances offer.”