Medicine Hat's Co-op Place and Esplanade earn 'Sensory Inclusive' certification. Jayk Sterkenburg/CHAT News

By Jayk Sterkenburg

CITY HALL

Medicine Hat entertainment venues first in Alberta certified for sensory sensitivities

Mar 24, 2025 | 4:25 PM

Medicine Hat’s Co-op Place and the Esplanade Arts and Heritage Centre have acquired a new certification that verifies they’re better equipped to assist guests with sensory sensitivities, the first entertainment venues in Alberta to have earned it.

KultureCity’s Sensory Inclusive program has been widely embraced by venues, stadiums, and cultural institutions across Canada and around the world.

With training developed by leading medical and neurodivergent professionals, the two venues now have knowledge on how to recognize guests with sensory needs.

Trampas Brown, the city’s manager of guest experience and operations, said the program lets people know that staff understand what they’re going through and are able to support them.

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“I think it’s important that we’re serving our community. We’re giving people as much access as we can,” he said.

“Entertainment venues by nature aren’t overly sensory inclusive. They’re kind of designed the other way to stimulate people’s sensory,” he added.

“We’re proud that we’re able to offer this program, and give people the opportunity to be included and experience some of this stuff.”

Trampas Brown. Kevin Kyle/CHAT News

Brown said areas were identified in both venues that might be louder than others, with a venue audit.

He said spaces were created that people can escape to, to get away from the noise if need be.

Sensory bags equipped with noise canceling headphones, verbal cue cards, and weighted lap pads are also available to all guests who may feel overwhelmed by the environment.

Sensory bags equipped with noise canceling headphones, fidget tools, verbal cue cards, and weighted lap pads are available to all guests at the venues. Jayk Sterkenburg/CHAT News

The city initially piloted the Sensory Friendly Project at Monsters and Mayhem at Co-op Place, on March 8.

“It doesn’t get any more stimulating than that,” Brown said.

The project was conceived to test the sensory friendly upgrades to the arena, as the venue moved towards receiving its ‘Sensory Inclusive’ certification.

Participant feedback continues to be implemented to optimize sensory-friendly environments of the two venues.

Debbie Shaw, executive director of the CORE Association, said the certification is welcoming for people who have sensory needs.

She said it helps create a predictable environment, to help people experience things like everyone else in the community.

Debbie Shaw. Bob Schneider/CHAT News

“We provide services to people with developmental disabilities- a large number of that population does have autism,” Shaw said.

“However, the importance of this certification isn’t just for people with autism. It’s good for people with dementia, Long COVID, post traumatic stress,” she added.

“Having venues that allow for people to participate in events where they otherwise might not have even bought a ticket.”

Prior to attending an event, families can now download the free KultureCity app to view what sensory features are available and where they can access them.

Also included on the app is the “Social Story”, which provides a preview of what to expect while enjoying an event at Co-op Place or the Esplanade.

“This isn’t just for the disability community. This will serve so many people,” Shaw said.