Performing Arts Centre Unveils New designQ Lounge by Qualico Communities Edmonton

Edmonton, AB -  Festival Place, Sherwood Park’s beloved arts and culture venue, reopened its doors to the public on September 17, after having shut down in mid-March due to COVID-19 regulations. With a partnership going back 20 years, Qualico Communities Edmonton stepped up to design a new lounge for the facility.

Located in the lobby of Festival Place, the unique designQ Lounge made a significant impact at the grand opening event. Featuring decor and interior design by the designQ team, the lounge provides a warm and welcoming entrance, offering a “house concert” experience for the venue’s Cafe Series.

Brad Armstrong, Vice-President, Qualico Communities Edmonton, had met with Festival Place Artistic Director, Steve Derpack, in the fall of 2019 to discuss sponsorship for the upcoming year. Steve was looking for a sponsor to pay for new furniture, and Brad felt that designQ Edmonton would be the perfect match.

“With the launch of our own designQ shop, the timing of this opportunity couldn’t have been more ideal,” said Alyson Jackson, Vice-President, designQ Edmonton. “It was truly a great privilege to be able to work on this project.”

With the theatre closed for nearly seven months due to COVID-19 restrictions, the renovations of the lounge, as well as the stage’s sound and lighting system were completed during that time.

The lounge features furniture and decor exclusively from Canadian-owned and operated businesses, including stylish love seats, cozy accent chairs, and contemporary coffee tables. Previously used as a storage area, the lounge is now an open concept, multi-purpose space that is accented with a large window overlooking the front entrance of Festival Place.

“This facility is the hub of local cultural events in Sherwood Park,” said Brad. “Supporting a facility like this is important for Qualico because we have been developing neighbourhoods and building homes in Sherwood Park and Strathcona County for several decades, and giving back to the community is part of who we are.”

Festival Place’s Summer Patio Series, designed to showcase up-and-coming local artists, was first sponsored by Qualico Communities Edmonton in 2000. Designed to showcase up and coming local artists With its continued support, Festival Place also launched a Cafe Series by Qualico Communities in 2012, providing patrons with the opportunity to experience an incredible array of live music.

“Qualico Communities has always been such a huge support for us, and takingon this latest project has been a great collaboration effort,” said Crysta Brown, Fund Development Coordinator, Festival Place. “The team at designQ took what we envisioned and made it a reality, and their professionalism towards the project was exemplary. Because of our history with Qualico, I feel like this project was just another step in solidifying both of our organizations’ commitments to culture and community in Strathcona County.”

Qualico’s ongoing support of this cultural meeting place has impacted the community greatly, and the continued partnership is eagerly anticipated.

“This was a great opportunity to partner with the team at Festival Place and enhance our sponsorship and visibility within the community,” said Brad. “We look forward to working together in the future.”