Mississauga’s Living Arts Centre (LAC) recorded a $1.9 million operating loss in 2024, according to a new report headed to the city’s General Committee this week — but officials say the facility is experiencing a rebound, with bookings up 30 per cent and demand expected to climb even higher in 2025.
Prime event months in 2024 saw a 74 per cent usage rate for key days, with March, April, June, and October nearly fully booked. June was the busiest month for the Main Auditorium, with 24 of 26 days reserved. Top-selling events included ABBA Revisited, Joe Avati’s World Tour, Icons: Legends, Divas and Superstars, Back 2 Roots Festival, and multiple Mississauga Symphony Orchestra concerts that drew over 4,000 patrons.
Since the city assumed control of the centre in 2020 following operational concerns and declining attendance, significant cost-cutting measures were implemented, including reducing full-time staff from 41 to 23 and consolidating operations teams. The changes cut more than $4 million in expenses in 2020 compared to 2019, but pandemic-related shutdowns and inflation have continued to challenge revenues.
City programming is also growing, with 23 event days in 2024 drawing more than 15,800 patrons and nearly $860,000 in ticket sales. School group visits, which began returning in 2023, further boosted engagement last year.
Mayor Carolyn Parrish has signalled a major renovation is on the horizon, including plans to expand seating capacity from 1,300 to 1,680 to compete with major GTA venues. A call for “Expressions of Interest” to reimagine the LAC and surrounding lands closed in April.
City staff say the focus remains on recovery and equitable access for all user groups, with an emphasis on strengthening partnerships with organizations like the Mississauga Symphony Orchestra and attracting large-scale events that enhance tourism.