In September 2007 a new era of high school education in Halifax was launched, as Citadel High welcomed its first students. The new high school serves a peninsula-based and culturally diverse student population of approximately 1,400 and has been designed and outfitted to meet the demands of a modern education program.
While a theatre is not technically considered a teaching space by official provincial standards, a group of interested citizens were determined Citadel High would have a multipurpose theatrical space. The rich history of music, art, and drama over the past 60 years at both QEH and St. Pat's convinced the province to shell in a theatre with the understanding that funds to outfit the facility would be raised by the community. It is important to remember that the Spatz Theatre now replaces the QEH and St Pat's auditoriums, both of which were used to their capacity over the years. The new theatre is also a critical resource to the community, giving residents access to a modern performance venue for a range of political, cultural and social activities.
A campaign team worked tirelessly for more than two years raising the necessary funds. In late September 2007 the Citadel Legacy Campaign was officially launched with the announcement that $1.3 million of the $2.3 million required to outfit the theatre had been secured. Subsequently, the Halifax Regional Municipality grants committee granted the society $500,000 to continue the project. Though still in the final phase of the fundraising process, the Spatz Theatre opened its doors on March 3, 2011 .
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