Federal Infrastructure Investment ProgramPalace Grand Theatre Project CompletionKlondike National Historic Sites

The Palace Grand Theatre opened in gala style in July 1899. The theatre was a combination of a luxurious European opera house and a boomtown dance hall. It was built by "Arizona Charlie Meadows"; a Wild West showman who came to Dawson City during the Klondike Gold Rush. With the gold strike in Nome, Alaska in the latter part of 1899, the excitement in Dawson City died as quickly as it rose. Over the next few years, Dawson City made the transition from gold rush boomtown to a smaller mining community. With the steady decline in population, Meadows sold the Palace Grand Theatre in 1901 for $17,000; less than a third of the initial cost. After this first sale, the theatre changed hands a number of times over the years and often hosted community events.

The Palace Grand Theatre was saved from destruction by the Klondike Visitors Association in 1959 and was donated to the former National Historic Parks branch of the Canadian government (presently Parks Canada), who began replication of the theatre in the early 1960s. In 2008, the Palace Grand Theatre was classified as a Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values. The theatre is now part of the Klondike National Historic Sites, which include many buildings associated with the story of the Klondike Gold Rush. The sites reflect the social, economic and political features that shaped the Yukon region over the last century.

The present-day Palace Grand Theatre is an elegant three-storey wood structure with an impressive false front façade. It was re-constructed in 1962 as a nearly exact replica of the original 1899 Palace Grand Theatre. Designed by the Vancouver architectural firm of Gardiner, Thornton, Gathe & Associates, the treatment of the current building was almost identical to the original theatre, with the exception of some simulated interior finishes and partitions, and the distinctly modern service additions (emergency exit stairs, washroom facilities and furnace room) to the east, west and north sides.

The theatre hosts a wide variety of live music, drama, comedy and film featuring international performers and local talent. The Palace Grand is a key venue during the annual Dawson City Music Festival, and it is regularly used by the community to host other public and private events.

Federal Infrastructure Project Completion

Project name: Palace Grand Theatre Rehabilitation

Project description: The Palace Grand Theatre required structural and foundation repairs due to melting permafrost. Re-constructed in the early 1960s, the theatre still contained the original heating and ventilating, fire suppression and lighting and electrical systems. These outdated systems were replaced to reflect new building codes, provide more efficient operations, and improve the safety and comfort for patrons and performers. The project also ensured the safe removal of hazardous materials, largely asbestos, which was commonly used in buildings from this era. Additional upgrades to the stage backdrops, foyer equipment, sound systems and other stage equipment were also completed. As part of the Parks Canada mandate, the heritage features of this building were fully protected during the construction phase. As such, the interior look of the building has remained unchanged to maintain its historic value.

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