Hamilton, ON – October 22, 2025 – The Westdale Theatre, Hamilton’s landmark community-run arts hub, was celebrated last night at the Ontario Association of Architects’ (OAA) annual Queen’s Park Picks event in Toronto.
The project, a meticulous heritage restoration and modernization by Toms + McNally Design, was selected by Sandy Shaw, MPP for Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, as a prime example of this year’s event theme, “Reshaping Communities.”
The Queen’s Park Picks program is a non-partisan OAA advocacy event that invites MPPs from all parties to reflect on and celebrate the buildings in their ridings that have architectural and community significance. The 2025 theme, “Reshaping Communities,” highlights how architecture can be a powerful tool for social, economic, and cultural revitalization.
The event, held at Queen’s Park on October 21, was attended by key political figures including Attorney General Doug Downey, NDP MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam, Liberal MPP Lucille Collard, and Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner, who gathered with OAA Immediate Past-President Settimo Vilardi to celebrate the selections.
“We are incredibly proud that the Westdale Theatre was selected for this honour,” said Graham McNally, Principal, Toms + McNally Design. “This project was a true labour of love, not just for our firm but for the entire community that rallied to save it. It proves that restoring heritage buildings does more than save a piece of history; it preserves culture and, in the case of this project, created a vital centre for connecting with our community. It’s the very definition of (re)shaping a community.”
The Westdale Theatre project transformed the 1930s Art Deco cinema, the first in Hamilton built for sound, into a modern, accessible, and vibrant multi-use facility. It now serves as a not-for-profit hub for film, music, and performance, anchoring the Westdale village neighbourhood.
“Being selected by our local MPP, Sandy Shaw, is a tremendous validation of the community’s vision,” said Alysha Main, Executive Director of The Westdale. “Toms + McNally Design were essential partners in transforming a beloved landmark into a state-of-the-art gathering place for all. We are grateful to the OAA for this recognition and to M.P.P. Shaw for championing the role of arts in community renewal.”
In her selection, MPP Sandy Shaw highlighted the project’s impact. “The Westdale Theatre is a shining example of what happens when a passionate community and talented designers come together,” said Shaw. “It has restored a cultural icon in Westdale. I was proud to select it for Queen’s Park Picks as a project that truly embodies how thoughtful architecture can uplift and reshape a community.”
About Toms + McNally Design
Toms + McNally is Hamilton based team of architects and designers focused on delivering thoughtful solutions to our client’s needs. Our process is driven by curiosity and leverages our diverse experience to create designs that meet today’s needs while considering future adaptability. Sustainability is integral to our work, informing efficient, flexible spaces that consider the project’s full energy footprint and connect the built environment to the natural world.
About The Westdale
The Westdale is a not-for-profit, community-led cultural organization operating out of a meticulously restored 1935 Art Deco cinema. It is a multi-disciplinary arts hub dedicated to presenting a diverse range of films, music, and performances, fostering a vibrant cultural life in Hamilton.
Media Contacts:
Graham McNally, Principal, Toms + McNally Design
p: 289 768 2211; e: graham@toms-mcnally.ca
Alysha Main, Executive Director, The Westdale Theatre
p: 289 678 3628 e: alysha@thewestdale.ca
Bernadette Curtis, Board Member, The Westdale Theatre
p: 289 768 2211
