Executive Council
Tourism, Culture and Recreation
Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs

June 2, 2009

Labrador Performance Space Named in Honour of Lawrence O�Brien

The legacy of the late Lawrence O�Brien, known for his passion and dedication in the service of Labrador and its people, was recognized in Happy Valley-Goose Bay today with the official naming of Labrador�s newest performing arts space.

The Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, made the announcement today, joined by provincial and municipal government leaders, representatives of the Labrador arts community, and members of the O�Brien family.

Premier Williams said the naming of the Lawrence O�Brien Auditorium, a state-of-the-art facility located adjacent to Mealy Mountain Collegiate, is a fitting tribute to the former Labrador Member of Parliament, who passed away in 2004.

"This facility exists, in large part, because of the efforts of Labradorians who advocated strongly for an appropriate space to showcase the performing arts - just as Lawrence O�Brien advocated, so often, and so passionately, for the people of Labrador," said Premier Williams. "The Lawrence O�Brien Auditorium will serve as a lasting honour to a great man."

"This is a unique performance venue which was constructed through community and government partnerships and co-operation, and it will be managed in a similar fashion," said the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. "It will see a wide range of community partners involved in operating and programming decisions, and serve the needs of both emerging and established artists � and their audiences � for many years to come."

Lawrence O�Brien was born in L�Anse au Loup, Labrador, in 1951. He worked as a teacher, adult educator, and a town councillor before being elected to the House of Commons on March 25, 1996. As the Member of Parliament for Labrador, he served as a member of the House of Commons Committee on Fisheries and Oceans, the Standing Committee on National Defence and Veteran�s Affairs, and as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.

"For Lawrence O�Brien, Labrador was a tightly-knit community about which he cared very deeply," said the Honourable John Hickey, Minister of Labrador Affairs. "He was a true son of Labrador who closely identified with this place and its people and made it his life�s work to improve the lives of all Labradorians. The Lawrence O�Brien Auditorium will ensure his life and achievements will always be celebrated and appreciated."

"Lawrence O�Brien has made many contributions over the years to this community both municipally and federally," said Leo Abbass, Mayor of Happy Valley-Goose Bay. "This new auditorium is an important piece of infrastructure for our municipality, and it is appropriate to have Lawrence remembered in this way."

The Lawrence O�Brien Auditorium is a newly-constructed 276-seat facility attached to Mealy Mountain Collegiate in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. A community-based advisory committee will be established with a view to having the venue fully operational in the near future.

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Media contacts:

Elizabeth Matthews
Director of Communications
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
elizabethmatthews@gov.nl.ca
Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709-729-0928, 697-5061
heathermay@gov.nl.ca
Roger Scaplen
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
709-729-4304, 727-0991
rogerscaplen@gov.nl.ca
John Tompkins
Director of Communications
Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
709-729-1674, 728-7762
jtompkins@gov.nl.ca
Karen Wheeler
Director of Economic Development
Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay
709-896-5427
development@happyvalley-goosebay.com
 

2009 06 02                                                      3:50 p.m.


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