History of Festival Hall

Serving the Armed Forces

Historically, Festival Hall was part of the Armory and was used as a shooting range. It was later transformed into an assembly hall as part of the Memorial Centre, then became a gymnasium used by Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School. Finally, in present day it has become a large rental space managed by the Red Deer Cultural Heritage Society.

Festival Hall first opened in 1940 as part of a Non-Permanent Active Militia Training Centre, the next year becoming an advanced training camp for the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps. The facility's name was changed to the A-20 Army Camp. Soldiers came to Red Deer to learn skills for map reading, supply and repair, using weapons, defending against gas attacks, equipment management, and map reading. The A-20 Army Camp closed at the end of WWII. In 1950 the east drill hall of the camp was converted into an auditorium, and a gymnasium for the Composite High School, opening the following fall.

Where We Come In

In 1992, the Red Deer Cultural Heritage Society acquired Festival Hall. In the same vein of renovating the Cronquist House, they proceeded to renovate the old gymnasium and turned it into a warm and attractive community hall. In 2018, Festival Hall underwent renovations to update its interior.