Century-old Marystown, N.L., venue getting ‘a new facelift’ improving energy, accessibility

Elizabeth Whitten · CBC News

· Posted: Aug 20, 2026 4:30 AM EDT | Last Updated: August 20

A community hub in Marystown, N.L., is getting a makeover, with additions that will help patrons and performers.

St. Gabriel’s Hall acts as an events venue, hosting political rallies, musical shows and fundraisers. John Baker, chair of the board for St. Gabriel’s Hall, said the building shows its age.

“A 111-year-old building would not have been built to the standards of today in respect of accessibility. Small doors, small openings, small windows, lack of insulation and all that kind of stuff would have lent itself to the construction of the day,” Baker told CBC Radio’s The St. John’s Morning Show.

The $1.3-million grant was announced by the federal government and the province in a statement in July.

Baker said over the last 20 years there has been funding from both the federal and provincial government, as well as their own funds, to upgrade the building from an accessibility standpoint already. Those past updates include changing washrooms and entrances to ensure they are accessible, as well as adding ramps.

“We're going to increase the ramp size and the ramps themselves in terms of making them much more efficient and concrete,” he said.

The hall’s stage also has a new lift from the floor to the stage for performers, he added.

“Our hope is that we will make a washroom facility at the back of the stage, as well as at least two or three dressing rooms, so that it makes it totally accessible from the stage,” said Baker.

“We feel that over the last 111 years, the building start[ed] to look a little tired. So we kind of like to think that we're going to give it a new facelift.”

Even amongst construction, he said the space will be hosting events, like a computer summer camp and weddings.

Problem across N.L., says advocate

Coalition of Persons with Disabilities Newfoundland and Labrador executive director Nancy Reid said the prevalence of inaccessible buildings isn’t a rural-versus-urban divide.

“It's a huge problem in our province in general,” she told CBC News, who said she’s seen it when she’s travelled across the province.

“When we think about accessibility in our spaces, it really impacts individuals with disabilities very directly.”

Reid said problematic features can include bad parking lots that can hinder accessibility aids like a cane or walker, not being able to access a building through the front door, and a lack of automated doors. When inside the building, there needs to be clear paths, low grade ramps, and washrooms without barriers.

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“Sometimes the costs create barriers for property owners in making these changes, not always though. Sometimes you'd be surprised at how easy it is to make changes within a space by moving things or adjusting things without actually incurring a huge cost,” said Reid.

While some of these changes can be expensive for organizations and businesses to take on, she said there are available federal and provincial programs aimed at helping to cover costs.

A business becoming more accessible can be good for the bottom line, she added, as it welcomes more customers who might have not been able to enter the premises.

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