FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre — Attraction in St. Catharines

The venue itself was lovely. The staff could really use some training on disabilities. I was told I couldn't use the accessible bathroom and had to go down the stairs to the woman's. Unfortunately, I AM disabled and cannot walk down stairs. I guess I didn't look crippled enough for the old man working. Then the woman standing by the elevator glared at me for using it after mentioning where the stairs were. Disabilities are NOT all visible, even physical disabilities. The kicker was, when upstairs we saw them make a woman with a walker use the woman's washroom instead of the accessible bathroom. The words "will you fit or do you need help?" Should never be said to anyone when a fully accesible bathroom was right there. Apparently, they wanted to leave the accesible bathroom open for men so men didn't have to go down the stairs to the bathroom. I wish I was kidding. The fact at least 3 employees were acting this way makes me believe it is a serious lack of training and not just a rogue employee. This is illegal discrimination though.

The ironic thing: the act we were there to see was a VERY disability friendly couple...

Me and my friends were sat in row M seats 9-12 and we had an unfortunately bad time due to a couple of intoxicated people infront of us standing in the way of the view. Even with my friends and I asking politely to sit they did not comply, further, we got an usher and the bouncer to ask and they still did not comply.

Multiple people suffer from invisible disabilities that don't allow them to stand for so long...

Its unfortunate we had to leave due to nothing being done to the issue...it got so bad that even people behind us were mad at the people infront of us, using their phone notes to tell them to sit down. I get it was a finger 11 concert but the venue is seating only, it's not like budweiser stage or any other concert venue with standing areas.

Our usher "Colleen" was sweet enough to listen to our complaints and take them to heart and said she would bring it up in a meeting.

To conclude, please make the right calls to escort people out if they don't simply comply with...

My bestfriend and I went to the Brett Kissel concert on March 17th 2025. It was our first time going to the First Ontario Performing Arts center. The staff was very friendly and helpful.

It wasn't till the intermission were we had 20 minute break when went back in and sat at our seats that were next to the sound booth. We were both singing along to Brett as you know, it was a concert after all. We had an usher come up to us saying that we needed to be quite or else they would move us. Never in our lives have we ever gone to a concert and we're told to keep quite so that we don't disturb the peace?

I believe someone put in a complaint in about us but again it's a concert. Live music. Maybe some people thought it was a threater performance where you don't sing along and cheer.

Not sure if we will go back in the near future.

Ps. The coat check lady was amazing!...