Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex

The City of Pickering complex rents two banquet halls that can be combined or booked separately.

About the venue

The banquet halls include a full kitchen. The O’Brien Rooms, inside the arena entrance, come with risers, a podium and round or rectangular tables. The City lists galas, tradeshows, corporate meetings, seminars and birthday parties among the events held here. Two indoor arenas can be rented for private ice during the skating season.

On EventPlans.ca it is listed as a community centre and banquet hall in Pickering, at 1867 Valley Farm Road, Pickering, ON L1V 3Y7.

Event spaces

The venue lists these spaces. Capacities are the venue’s own figures and change with the layout you choose.

• Banquet Halls West & East combined: 480 social, 600 theatre
• Banquet Hall (each half): 240 social, 300 theatre
• O’Brien Rooms A & B: 120 social (Room A 50, Room B 70 to 75)
• Meeting Rooms 2 & 3: 50 social (each room 25)

Capacity

The venue publishes a maximum of 480 seated, 600 theatre style. Those are top figures for an empty room. A dance floor, a stage, a buffet or a photo booth each take space, so plan on fewer guests than the maximum once your layout is drawn.

A useful rule: a seated dinner at rounds of ten needs about 1 to 1.2 square metres per guest, a standing reception about 0.7, and theatre seating about 0.6, before you add a stage or dance floor. The venue capacity calculator does the arithmetic for your room.

Events it hosts

According to its own event pages, the venue hosts galas and fundraisers, corporate events, conferences and meetings, private social events and kids’ birthdays.

For timelines, budgets and checklists, start with the gala planning hub, corporate holiday party hub, conference planning hub.

Questions to ask on your site visit

Bring these to your walk-through. Get the answers in writing before you sign.

• Which rooms can be booked, and what are the city or town rental rules?
• Is a Special Occasion Permit required for alcohol, and is security staff mandatory with a bar?
• Can you bring your own caterer, and is the kitchen available?
• What insurance certificate does the centre require?
• What time must the room be cleaned and empty?
• Is the parking shared with other programs that night?

Planning entertainment here

Community halls are flexible for kids’ entertainers and family shows. Check the ceiling height before booking balloon arches or aerial acts.

Send every performer’s technical needs to the venue before you book: floor space, ceiling height, power, sound and changing room.

Getting there

The venue lists free on-site parking. The venue states that its event spaces are accessible. Check the venue website for directions, parking rates and accessible entrances, and send the details to guests with the invitation.

Official website: pickering.ca/parks-recreation-culture/community-spaces-and-rentals/venue-rentals/chestnut-hill-developments-recreation-complex

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