February 22, 1999
(Development and Rural Renewal)

Successful theatre company to receive support for year-round venue in Trinity

Trinity, Newfoundland, February 22, 1999 - The Trinity Pageant, the Summer in the Bight Festival and other theatrical productions will soon have a permanent residence in this historic town. The federal and provincial governments have committed to funding the construction of a theatre in Trinity through contributions of nearly $1.1 million from the Canada-Newfoundland Strategic Regional Diversification Agreement (SRDA) and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).

The funding was announced today at a news conference in the town. The Honourable Fred J. Mifflin, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State for ACOA; Mr. Doug Oldford, MHA for Trinity North on behalf of the Honourable John Efford, Minister of Development and Rural Renewal (Acting); Ms. Donna Butt, Executive Director and Artistic Director for Rising Tide; and Mayor David White, Town of Trinity, were on hand for the event.

The Town of Trinity is known throughout the province as a cultural and historic centre. The project will entail the construction of a 5,200 sq. ft. wooden frame theatre which will match the community's traditional architecture. The facility, which will have seating capacity for 255 patrons, will include costume and dressing rooms, washrooms, an electrical room and will also be wheelchair accessible.

"Attracting more than 20,000 visitors each year, the Trinity Bight area has capitalized on tourism and culture-related business opportunities," said Minister Mifflin. "Rising Tide has played an integral role by acting as a catalyst for tourism development. The mixing of culture and tourism has provided a successful recipe for economic development in this area. The addition of a permanent year-round theatre will allow for expanded theatrical products that can accommodate larger audiences creating more opportunities for accommodations, food services and other tourism-related businesses in the area."

The addition of permanent tourism-cultural infrastructure is an important component of the region's economic future, according to Mr. Oldford. "The Discovery Regional Economic Development Board has identified this particular initiative as a priority in its strategic economic plan for the entire region. A permanent theatre in Trinity will not only enhance the area's overall tourism product and appeal, but help diversify the economy and create new employment opportunities."

Rising Tide's presence in Trinity has produced positive results over the past five years. "When we first brought the New Founde Lande Trinity Pageant to Trinity, there were some who questioned its success," said Ms. Butt. AToday, the town and area benefit from the presence of a theatre company that will now be year-round. The addition of the theatre as a home-base for theatrical productions will allow us to add more variety to our productions, increase the size of our audiences and operate for longer periods throughout the year."

Rising Tide expects to continue offering its current productions and to add new ones such as cabarets, Christmas pageants, and dinner theatres. The project will cost $1.2 million and is expected to be completed in the summer of 1999.

According to Mayor White, the project will help the Town of Trinity continue a tradition of authentic Newfoundland culture performances. "This new project is truly a community initiative with support from neighbouring towns, tourism associations and our regional board. We look forward to the new partnerships in economic development that are bound to evolve from this project."

SRDA is a federal-provincial agreement administered provincially by the Department of Development and Rural Renewal and federally by ACOA.

For more information, please contact:

Randy Devine
ACOA
(709) 772-2984

Josephine Cheeseman
Development and Rural Renewal
(709) 729-4570

Donna Butt
Rising Tide
(709) 464-3847 or
(709) 738-3256