This is a public dance centre to be located at 4 Merrymeeting Road across from The Rooms. It will include the renovation of the former Monastery heritage building with the addition of a new studio wing on the back.

There is a lot of dance activity in St John’s so this facility will serve all forms of dance, all sectors of the community, all ages and all abilities.

This is a “working title” name. We expect it will have another name when it opens.

Neighbourhood Dance Works is currently spearheading the project and leading the initial planning study. The concept development and site acquisition stages will be led by a yet to be established community leadership group.

Neighbour Dance Works does not have the mandate or capacity to own the facility but it could possibly be the manager. The facility will ultimately be owned by a new nonprofit corporation or by some level of government. Determining the ownership is part of the work immediately ahead.

Once a site is secured, design and construction is expected to take 2 to 3 years.

We are encouraged by the growing momentum around new cultural and community spaces in St. John’s, including the activation of heritage spaces within the Basilica precinct, the proposed Masonic Theatre, and the community-led arts hub at 146 Casey Street.

Together, these initiatives reflect a clear and shared recognition that St. John’s needs more accessible spaces for creativity, movement, and gathering. Demand for cultural, recreational, and community programming continues to grow across disciplines and age groups, and the city’s existing infrastructure is already working at or near capacity.

Dance contributes directly to public health, lifelong recreation, education, and social connection. The Community Dance Facility is being developed in response to this demonstrated need, providing a purpose-built environment for movement-based activity, learning, and community programming that is not easily accommodated in existing venues.

Rather than oversaturating the community or competing with other spaces, the Community Dance Facility is part of a broader, healthy expansion of cultural infrastructure that supports long-term community well-being and a more vibrant, connected city.