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Tourism, Culture and Recreation
January 20, 2010

Arts and Culture Centres Spruced up to the Tune of $1.5 Million

The Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, was in Corner Brook today to announce more than $1.5 million for infrastructure upgrades and equipment purchases for regional Arts and Culture Centres across the province.

"Our six regional Arts and Culture Centres play a vital role in the celebration and promotion of Newfoundland and Labrador's rich cultural tradition," said Minister French. "They are venues for our own experienced, professional performers, as well as for young, aspiring artists who are just beginning to discover their talents, and their place, within our flourishing cultural scene. They are also places where Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are introduced to the very best national and international acts, and entertainers from around the world who broaden our appreciation for a wide variety of cultural expression."

Minister French said investing in infrastructural upgrades to the province's Arts and Culture Centres not only protects provincial investment in these facilities, but also provides a more safe, comfortable and inviting environment for audiences and performers alike.

"As a government, we are committed to making our Arts and Culture Centres even more accessible, and more relevant, to the hundreds of communities they serve," said Minister French. "We want them to be places where people continue to come, and want to come, to enjoy incredible performances, both now and long into the future."

Today's announcement included a total of $600,000 invested in new seating and carpeting for Arts and Culture Centres in Corner Brook and Stephenville (both of which have recently been installed), and for the Joseph R. Smallwood Arts and Culture Centre in Gander, where the refurbishing is expected to be completed in June.

It also includes $755,000 for the centre in St. John's – including $325,000 for renovations to the Basement Theatre; $100,000 for planned electrical upgrades in Labrador West; and, $10,000 for each of the Arts and Culture Centres across the province (excluding St. John's) for stage equipment. A complete list of recently approved infrastructure investments can be found in the backgrounder below.

Previous Arts and Culture Centre infrastructure investments include more than $918,000 to install new roofing, siding and windows at the Stephenville Centre, and $122,000 for the replacement of the orchestra shell in St. John's.

This is in addition to the more than $25 million in new funding invested since the introduction of the province cultural strategy, Creative Newfoundland and Labrador (2006).

For more information about the province's Arts and Culture Centres, please visit: www.artsandculturecentre.com 

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Media contact:
Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709-729-0585, 697-5061
heathermay@gov.nl.ca 


BACKGROUNDER
Provincial Arts and Culture Infrastructure Investments

Region Amount Project
Corner Brook $200,000 Replacement of seating and carpet in main theatre.
Labrador West $100,000 Planned electrical upgrading
Stephenville $200,000 Replacement of seating and carpet in main theatre.
Gander $200,000 Replacement of seating and carpet in main theatre.
St. John's $755,000 Seven projects, including: renovations to the Basement Theatre ($325,000); renovations to the box office ($135,000); replacement of a fire curtain ($70,000); replacement of the stage drapery ($70,000); replacement of the stage floor ($60,000); planned increased wheelchair access ($50,000); and, upgrades to on-stage rigging system ($40,000)
Labrador West, Stephenville, Corner Brook, Grand Falls-Windsor, and Gander $50,000 $10,000 each for stage equipment (vertical man lifts)

2010 01 20                                                11:10 a.m.
 


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