Conference in the Studio Theatre at the Esplanade.--Photo courtesy RJF Productions
My first visit to the Esplanade was in the fall of 2005. The building was opened for the public to view and some areas were not even fully completed.
My coworker Carla and I had been waiting in anticipation to see this new arts and heritage centre ever since we first heard the proposal for building it at a chamber of commerce luncheon. On the evening, we went to look around, we drove into the empty parkade and realized that most visitors were unaware of the underground parking and had parked outdoors instead.
After finding our way to the elevator and entering the main floor, we were awed at the size and design of the venue. The spiral staircase above grabbed our attention and we determined it must not be finished yet as it hadn’t reached the main floor.
There was an exhibition of a mid-century kitchen from the permanent collection that I found appealing. The Archives Reading Room wasn’t open and peeking through the glass doors we spied what looked like a worktable with a sheet of plywood and sawdust on the floor.It would be some weeks before it was ready to open.
In the almost 20 years since the Esplanade’s first event, the shows, programs, classes and receptions have grown from occasional to regular happenings. The school children who visit the Discovery Centre and galleries today have no personal understanding of Medicine Hat before the Esplanade. It’s grown into a multi-use facility.
E-flyers and billboards may seem to suggest that the Esplanade is for entertainment and family programs, but several corporate training sessions and employee recognition ceremonies take place in the venue as well.
The theatre is the perfect location for larger conferences and training sessions. The state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems enhance speaker presentations. There are many areas that can be used as break-out space for conferences as well.
The Studio Theatre is a great spot for workshops and the Cutbanks Room, while often rented for board style meetings can also be arranged as a classroom for 30-40 people.
Some of the larger companies in Medicine Hat have been early adopters of the Esplanade as training space for their employees and others have created incredible employee awards ceremonies.
One even had a giant Oscar statue for their red-carpet event. Another weekend-long conference used every available space in the building from the second-floor lobby to the gallery foyer for additional learning areas.
Holiday parties and team building activities sometimes include a theatre show as part of the agenda. A catered dinner for 24 in the Cutbanks Room with reserved seats in the theatre balcony can be perfect for a small company get-together or as the end to a daylong workshop.
Over the years, the Esplanade has become a familiar and much-loved landmark in Medicine Hat. Most of us have favourite events or exhibitions but we can also try to find new or diverse ways to use some of the rental spaces.
If you are looking for a place to hold employee training or team building exercises, consider the Esplanade.
Visit esplanade.ca for rental details.
Sandi Reimer is the co-ordinator of event services at the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre
