Winspear Accessibility
The Winspear is happy to provide accommodation for all patrons. Learn more about our options below, or contact the Winspear Box Office at 780.428.1414 or box.office@winspearcentre.com for more information. You may also ask the concierge or any staff member for assistance while attending an event.
The Winspear Centre is fully accessible. Our main entrance and lobby have no steps, and all seating levels except Gallery can be accessed via elevator. Elevators are located near coat check in the northwest corner of the building (left when coming in the main entrance.)
Washrooms are located on either side of the main lobby, on the right side of the Dress Circle lobby (if facing the hall), and on the left side of the Upper Circle lobby (if facing the hall). There are no stairs to access any of these washrooms.
A wheelchair accessible, gender neutral bathroom is located on the left side of the main lobby. Wheelchair accessible stalls are also located in the men’s and women’s washrooms located on the right side of the main lobby, the women’s washroom on the Dress Circle level, and the men’s and women’s washrooms on the Upper Circle level.
Within the concert hall, all levels except Gallery can be accessed without stairs. The Gallery section has 20 stairs to access, plus any additional stairs to your row.
Wheelchair Accessible Seating
There are reserved seats on each level except Gallery for patrons with mobility concerns.
Accessible seating that can accommodate wheelchairs or other mobility devices is available in the following sections:
- Terrace Centre - Row D
- Dress Circle Loge Left and Right - Loge J
- Upper Circle Right Centre and Left Centre - Row D
These seats are marked by a wheelchair icon if you are purchasing through our website or can be purchased by contacting our Box Office at 780.428.1414. Patrons requiring these seats may purchase one additional ticket in the accessible seating area for someone attending with them. Due to limited availability, we ask that any additional members of your party attending with you sit nearby outside of the wheelchair accessible area.
Stairless Seating
In addition to the above wheelchair accessible areas, the hall has several other seating sections that do not require stairs to access them. These sections are not wheelchair accessible but may accommodate other mobility needs.
Stair-free access is available in the following sections:
- Orchestra Loge Left and Right
- Terrace Left Centre, Centre, and Right Centre - Row D
- Dress Circle Left Centre, Centre, and Right Centre - Row E
- Dress Circle Loge Left and Right - Loges B, D, F, and H
- Upper Circle Centre - Row D
Please note that all seating in the Orchestra section requires descending 6-9 stairs.
Movable and Armless Chairs
Chairs in the Orchestra Loges, Terrace Centre row D, the Dress Circle Loges, and the Upper Circle Loges are movable. Some of these chairs have arms and some do not.
- Chairs with arms: The Orchestra Loges, upper level of the Dress Circle Loges (loges B, D, F, H, J), Dress Circle Loge A, and all Upper Circle Loges (A, B, C, D, E) have chairs with arms. Some chairs in Terrace Centre row D and Dress Circle Loge J left and right have arms.
- Chairs without arms: The lower level of the Dress Circle Loges (loges C, E, G, I) are designed to have armless chairs. Some chairs in Terrace Centre row D and Dress Circle Loge J left and right have no arms.
Please speak to the Box Office or a staff member at your event if you require a certain type of chair that is not already in your seating location.
If you have any questions about the best seating for your needs, please contact the Box Office at 780.428.1414 or box.office@winspearcentre.com.
Please see the section above, “Accessible Seating,” for information about the best seats for your mobility needs.
If you are seated in a non-accessible area, walkers and scooters may be stored out of the way by a staff member while you enjoy your event. They may not be kept in aisles or in any area that blocks access for other patrons due to fire regulations. Please speak to a staff member for assistance when you arrive at your event.
Wheelchairs can be accommodated in the areas described in “Accessible Seating” and will not be removed. Should you require the use of a wheelchair during your event but do not have your own, please see “Wheelchair Loans” below.
The Winspear has a wheelchair that can be used to get from the main lobby to your seats. Please speak to the concierge located inside our main entrance to request use of this service.
If you require the use of this wheelchair for the whole event, you will be asked to leave a piece of photo ID in exchange.
The Winspear can accommodate any assistive medical device, such as oxygen tanks. We recommend sitting in an area with enough space to accommodate your device. If you are worried about any noise produced by your device, we recommend sitting in the accessible seating in Terrace Centre row D, Dress Circle Loge J, or Upper Circle row D. Terrace Right Centre or Left Centre row D at the back of the hall are also good options. All of these sections have more space for you and other patrons.
If you would like to discuss best seating options to accommodate your device, please contact the Box Office at 780.428.1414 or box.office@winspearcentre.com.
The Winspear's Concert Hall is equipped with assisted listening devices that will help sharpen the sound of the events you attend.
There are two options to choose from for assisted listening devices:
- For those with existing hearing aids, we have a loop that can work with your system;
- For those without hearing aids, we have headphones available.
These systems are available at all events free of charge. Please speak to the concierge located inside the main doors at your event to request the solution that will best work for your needs. You will be asked to leave a piece of photo ID in exchange for the hearing device.
If you require a certain seat location to help accommodate your vision, please speak to the Box Office. The Box Office can be contacted at 780.428.1414 or box.office@winspearcentre.com.
If you are attending an event and require help locating your seats, a washroom, or another service, please speak to one of our staff members for assistance. Staff members can also assist with reading signage or other materials prior to the show or during intermission.
Service animals are allowed at all events. You may utilize the accessible seating areas listed above under “Accessible Seating,” or there are other areas of the hall that have additional legroom to help safely accommodate your service animal. Please contact the Box Office at 780.428.1414 or box.office@winspearcentre.com to discuss options that might work best for you.
A viewing room for a quieter environment is available for some performances. It is located on the Dress Circle level. If you wish to inquire about the availability of this room for your event, please speak to a staff member.
Please note that the viewing room has stairs to access it.
Should you require ear plugs at any point during your visit, you can request them from any usher stationed at chamber doors.
Booster seats are available. Please request one from the concierge located inside our main entrance when you arrive. You will be asked to leave a piece of photo ID in exchange for the booster seat.
Change tables are located in the bathrooms located in the men’s and women’s washrooms on the right side of the main lobby (if facing the hall) and in the men’s and women’s washrooms on the Upper Circle level.