Acclaimed by Virden’s Empire-Advance as one of the finest and best equipped opera houses in Western Canada, the Auditorium on Wellington Street West has a handsome interior and superb acoustics. The two-storey brick and stone building, measuring 60 feet by 107 feet, an addition to an existing fire hall, was designed by Brandon architect William Alexander Elliott. It was built between 1911 and 1912 by local contractor William Thomas Manser at a cost of about $25,000. A steam heating steam was installed by the Manitoba Hardware Company at a cost of about $3,687.
The “Aud” opened on 29 February 1912. As well as serving as the home of the Virden Dramatic and Operatic Society and the Virden Orchestra, it soon became the social and entertainment centre for the performing arts in western Manitoba. The unusual combination of municipal offices, courtroom and theatre made this building a provincial landmark.
With demolition threatened in the early 1980s, a “Save the Aud” committee initially comprised local residents Gladys I. Carefoot, Bernice B. McDonald, James O. Moffatt, and Rodney R. Stuart. A fundraising campaign brought the building back to its former grandeur. A commemorative plaque from the Manitoba Heritage Council was unveiled beside the building in 1990.
Postcard view of the Virden Municipal Building (circa 1911)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough, 2014-0310
Virden Municipal Building and Auditorium (July 2021)
Source: George Penner
Virden Municipal Building and Auditorium (July 2021)
Source: George Penner
Virden Municipal Building and Auditorium (July 2022)
Source: Jordan Makichuk
View of the audience seating in the Virden Auditorium (June 2024)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
View of the stage and decorated curtain in the Virden Auditorium (June 2024)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
Commemorative plaque for the Virden Municipal Building and Auditorium (May 2019)
Source: Gordon GoldsboroughSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.84931, W100.93128
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: William Alexander Elliott (1866-1957)
Memorable Manitobans: William Thomas Manser (1869-1958)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Provincially Designated Historic Sites
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Boissevain Town Hall (578 Cook Street, Boissevain, Municipality of Boissevain-Morton)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Hartney Town Hall (220 West Railway Street, Hartney, Municipality of Grassland)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Manitou Opera House (325 Main Street, Manitou, Municipality of Pembina)
“Virden, Man.,” Contract Record and Engineering Review, 7 June 1911, page 60.
“Virden, Man.,” Contract Record and Engineering Review, 14 June 1911, page 59.
“Virden, Man.,” Contract Record and Engineering Review, 21 June 1911, page 59.
“Virden, Man.,” Contract Record and Engineering Review, 20 September 1911, page 60.
Virden Municipal Building and Auditorium, Manitoba Historic Resources Branch.
We thank Tim Worth, George Penner, Terry Johnson, Rhonda Stewart, and Jordan Makichuk for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 18 March 2025
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