We are an Edmonton based community theatre committed to the production of engaging and vibrant works and providing our member volunteers opportunities to participate in all aspects of theatre production.
Walterdale Theatre, at over 60 years old, is one of Western Canada’s oldest amateur theatre groups. With the exception of a paid part-time Administrator, Walterdale Theatre is operated entirely by volunteers with a love of theatre. Members of any age and background have the unique opportunity to participate in all aspects of live theatre. We do it for love, not money.
Walterdale Theatre, A History:
Walterdale Theatre Associates was born in the summer of 1958 under the name of Edmonton Theatre Associates. For the first three years, the Edmonton Theatre Associates did not have a home of their own and performed at various venues, such as Victoria High School and the Jubilee Auditorium.
In 1961 the Edmonton Theatre Associates began renting the former John Walter School House, from the City of Edmonton. The schoolhouse was located on Walterdale Flats, where the Kinsmen Field House is located today.
The building was renovated and converted into a 70-seat venue, which was dubbed the Walterdale Playhouse.
This location was home for more than forty plays over the next 5 years.
In 1966, the City reclaimed the building, to make way for construction of the Kinsmen Field House and the Edmonton Theatre Associates were forced to move.
The Frontiersman Hall of the Edmonton Squadron of the Canadian Legion of Frontiersmen was located at 114th Avenue and 107 Street, on the site of where the Kingsway Garden Mall is now.
This location became the Edmonton Theatre Associates’ new home.
In 1969, the name of the Edmonton Theatre Associates officially changed to the Walterdale Theatre Associates.
With the City planning to give the Legion Hall land to a private developer for a shopping mall (Kingway Garden Mall), Walterdale Theatre Associates were able to negotiate with the City for new space in the Strathcona Fire Hall No. 1 (later Edmonton Fire Hall No. 6).
Originally known as Strathcona Fire Hall Number 1, this structure is the last remaining example of a pre-First World War fire hall in Edmonton. Designed by Arthur G. Wilson and David E. Herrald, the hall was built by contractor James M. Eaton at a cost of $15,000. The hall was described at the time of construction as “unusually commodious”.
Constructed of brick with stone quoins, cornices and a concrete floor the building also had a parapet which was demolished at a later date. Dominating the front of the building are three main doors decorated by radiating stone voussoirs. The bell tower measures 11 sq. ft. (1.02 sq. m.) and rises to a height of 77 ft. (23.4 m.), which enabled the fire hoses to be properly racked. In the original design the second storey held the fire chief’s office and bedroom along with five bedrooms and a band room which took up almost half the space on that floor.
Following the amalgamation with Edmonton in 1912, Fire Hall Number 1 became Fire Hall Number 6 and remained in service until 1954. The building was then leased to Strathcona Furniture for 20 years until it became home to Walterdale Theatre in 1974. Designated as a Provincial Registered Historic Resource in 1976, the building is also on Edmonton’s “A” list of Registered Historic Resources.
-Edmonton Historical Board
In 1974, the new and current location of the Walterdale Playhouse, at 10322 83rd Avenue NW, was renovated into a 108 seat theatre. Further renovations in 1992 increased seating to 145.
Some facts about Walterdale Theatre’s current location:
- Built in 1910, replacing a smaller building, Strathcona No. 1 Fire Hall was re-numbered Edmonton No. 6 Fire Hall when Edmonton and Strathcona amalgamated in 1912.
- The is the only pre-World War I fire hall in Edmonton to retain its historical exterior.
- The building served as a fire hall until 1954; from then until 1974, it was used as a furniture warehouse.
- The building was designated a Provincial Historic Resource on September 13, 2007, and designated a Municipal Historic Resource on September 27, 2011.
- The bell tower houses the Strathcona “Tower Bell”. It is topped by an octagonal belfry, covered by an octagonal room — the cupola.
- The tower was used to dry hoses (hanging them up) after use.
- The stable (now set building workshop) was designed to house nine horses.
- The theatre auditorium seats 145.
- The second floor houses wardrobe storage and construction rooms, a rehearsal hall, dressing and green room, and an office. There is also access to the control booth.
Walterdale Theatre acknowledges that our theatre is located on Treaty 6, a traditional territory of the Cree and has been an important trading place of the Saulteaux, Blackfoot, Nakota Sioux, Dene, and Métis peoples of western Canada for many thousands of years.
We also recognize and honour that we are Treaty people and therefore seek to uphold the spirit and intent of this Treaty.