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FRANCISCAN CENTER

Rent the exquisite Franciscan Center, a premier venue for any event.

The Franciscan Center is a state-of-the-art venue within Sylvania, Ohio’s picturesque Sylvania Franciscan Village campus. This remarkable facility spans over 19,000 square feet, offering a versatile oasis for your gatherings.

Our full-service theater, accommodating 850 enthusiastic patrons, is a premier choice for various occasions. The possibilities are endless, from captivating community theater productions and local dance performances to engaging corporate meetings and enriching community lectures.

Immerse yourself in the theater’s capabilities, where you can orchestrate technically demanding performances or host intimate lecture events. Additionally, our center features well-appointed conference rooms, accommodating groups ranging from fifteen to 200 attendees. A spacious gymnasium and a charming commons area, ideal for dinners, banquets, fashion shows, and other special events, await your creative vision.

As a versatile rental facility, the Franciscan Center invites you to bring your dreams to life. Whether it’s a magical wedding reception, a productive meeting, a lively party, an engaging trade show, or an enlightening seminar, our venue can accommodate your unique event needs. Unlock the potential of the Franciscan Center and create unforgettable memories in this exceptional space.

Faculty and staff receive a 10 percent discount on renting the Franciscan Center facilities, and Alums and nonprofit organizations receive a 15 percent discount. In addition to facility rental, the center also provides services and amenities to help make your event a success. Located in scenic Sylvania, it provides an ambiance and tranquility unlike any other.

Amenities

  • Professional staff of event planners ready to assist you in every aspect of the planning process
  • Business Center available with Internet, phone, and computer access
  • On-site audio visual equipment
  • Full box office services available for ticketed events
  • State-of-the-art, 850-seat theater
  • Executive boardroom with views of our wooded campus
  • Multi-purpose conference rooms
  • Commons banquet hall seating up to 350 guests
  • Your choice of catering service: from our list of approved providers
  • Full bar and beverage services in-house

Conference Center

Board Room Conference Rooms A & B
  • A fully self-contained room
  • Accommodates up to 60 people
  • 4 x 8 board tables
  • Other flexible arrangements
  • Food service amenities in room
  • Restroom facilities in room
  • Handicapped accessible
  • Projection screen/audio/visual
  • Windows with darkening drapes
  • Scenic view of campus
  • Separate entrance
  • Set of two 35 sq. ft. rooms
  • Used jointly, rooms can seat up to 200
  • Used separately, rooms can seat up to 100 – lecture style
  • Banquet style, rooms can seat 50 guests each
  • Movable wall partition
  • Carpeted rooms
  • Flexible set up
  • 60″ or 72” round tables available
  • 6′ or 8′ rectangle tables available
  • Projection screen and audio/visual equipment
  • White boards

Commons

The Commons is the grand arched lobby of our theatre, and provides an ideal setting for any elegant event. It features a built-in bar, arched masonry pillared cloisters, decorative ceramic tile floor, and direct kitchen access for your approved caterer. It sets the tone and ambience for the entire building, and can be used as a lobby for theater-goers and conference attendees. It also doubles as a beautiful setting for banquets, dinners, style shows, fund-raisers, and receptions.

The commons can be used alone, or in conjunction with other areas of the facility.

The commons area will seat up to 350 persons at 72″ round tables for dinners and banquets, and up to 300 when used in conjunction with the theater or other conference events. It is beautifully yet simply adorned, with brick walls and an interior cloister with brick arches.

Theater

In-house technical assistance from our resident technical director is part of every theater rental. Technical crews for the mounting and running of shows are also available.

Behind the scenes: In the audience:
  • Proscenium stage 49 x 35
  • Draperies and velour hangings
  • Black scrim and white cyclorama
  • Full fly loft with 35 battens
  • Computerized lighting system
  • Two follow spots
  • Full sound capabilities
  • Large front projection screen with multimedia projector
  • 9′ Baldwin Grand Piano on stage
  • 2 stage level dressing rooms & 2 large lower level dressing rooms
  • Handicapped accessible
  • 850 seat house
  • Three sections:
    • left
    • center
    • right
  • Computerized sight lines
  • 25 rows stationary seating
  • Fully carpeted floor
  • Front-of-house staff available
    • Ushers
    • Ticket-takers
  • Handicapped accessible

Summer Conferences & Camps

Lourdes University’s rental facilities are available for rent year round including expanded summer offerings. Located in the picturesque Toledo suburb of Sylvania, Ohio, Lourdes boasts over 19,000 square feet of flexible-use meeting and special event space as well as on-site housing including:

THE FRANCISCAN CENTER

Lourdes’ Franciscan Center offers a beautiful, full-service, state-of-the-art theater, commons (open atrium), and conference center located in the picturesque Toledo suburb of Sylvania, OH.

The Franciscan Center theater seats 850 patrons and is capable of hosting a fully staged and technically challenging performance or a simple lecture event. In-house technical assistance from the Center’s resident technical director is part of every theater rental for those organizations wishing to utilize its features such as sound, lighting, etc.

The commons is the grand arched atrium of the Franciscan Center, and provides an ideal setting for banquets, dinners, style shows, fund-raisers, and receptions.  It features a built-in bar, arched masonry pillared cloisters, decorative ceramic tile floor, and direct kitchen access for your approved caterer. The area will seat up to 350 persons at 72″ round tables for dinners and banquets, and up to 300 when used in conjunction with the theater or other conference events.

Additionally, there are three conference room spaces offered in the Franciscan Center. Conference rooms A & B can be used separately and will seat up to 100 patrons, or together seat 200 patrons. Organizations may also reserve the Center’s board room, which seats approximately 60 patrons.  Both the conference rooms and the board room are equipped with a projection screen, audio/visual equipment, and white write-on boards.

EBEID STUDENT CENTER AND THE DEN

Lourdes also offers casual spaces for smaller, less formal gatherings. The Ebeid Student Center is located on the lower level of the university’s newest academic building, and features a pool table, a ping pong table, a wide-screen TV, small stage, and multi-functional seating. Located next to Lourdes University’s student housing, the Den is a 5,000 square foot open meeting space that features a large projection screen TV, dining/study tables, a Ping-Pong table, video game center, and multi-functional seating.

SMART CLASSROOMS

Make technology work for your organization’s event by utilizing one of Lourdes University’s many smart classrooms, which are equipped with Wi-Fi and audio/visual equipment. Classrooms seat up to 40 patrons.

GYM

Connected to the Franciscan Center, Lourdes’ gym is a great space for athletic camps such as basketball, cheerleading, and volleyball and offers plenty of room for fitness classes, walking and jogging. Locker rooms and shower facilities are also available in the gym.

LOURDES COMMONS (HOUSING)

At Lourdes, we won’t make patrons squeeze into tiny dorm rooms! The university wants guests to feel as at home as possible and offers 1 and 2 bedroom apartment-style living spaces in six separate residence halls for up to 325 guests.

EVENT PLANNING SERVICES

In addition to facility rental, Lourdes University will also offer services and amenities to help make planning a breeze such as event planning and technical assistance.

Wedding Receptions

Planning your wedding? Let our experienced staff assist you in making your dream reception a reality. Whether you are expecting 35 or 350 guests, our expert staff will ensure that your every need is met. We are dedicated to making your event a great success, so allow us to make your job of planning it a little easier. Call our office for a complete special event planning packet. Whatever your wedding dreams may be, our seasoned staff and classically elegant facilities are sure to exceed your expectations.

View our wedding planning brochure.

Contact:
Jane Woodbury
Lourdes University
Franciscan Center
jwoodbury@lourdes.edu
419-517-8950

For more information, please complete and submit the form below.

Discover the Franciscan Center.

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