Tourism, Culture and Recreation
October 5, 2010
Resource Centre for the
Arts Celebrates Newly-Renovated Venue
Renovations are complete at the LSPU
Hall, home of the Resource Centre for the Arts, thanks in part to a
$613,000 investment from the Provincial Government.
The Honourable Terry French, Minister of
Tourism, Culture and Recreation made the announcement today at a
Resource Centre for the Arts news conference, which will be followed
this evening by an official reopening reception and a performance of the
Gordon Pinsent play, Easy Down Easy.
"The LSPU Hall is much more than just a
performance venue," said Minister French. "While it is a place where
established artists present their work, it is also a place where
emerging artists are mentored and nurtured and given an opportunity to
further hone their craft. The upgrades and renovations to the hall will
no doubt enhance the facility's ability to develop, promote and attract
even more high-quality theatrical and artistic events."
Renovations include the updating of the
main stage on the upper level, complete with a new backstage area; new
technical equipment; a new riser system; and, improved dressing rooms.
New seating and an air-conditioning system were also installed in the
theatre to improve working conditions for artists and enhance audience
enjoyment.
Sherry White, Chair of the Board of
Directors, Resource Centre for the Arts, said the generous support of
the Provincial Government has been a key part of the team effort that
brought the renovation to fruition.
"After years of planning and dreaming,
working with wonderful architects and contractors, the LSPU Hall is open
and ready for business," said Ms. White. "As we enter this new era, we
look forward to sharing all the changes and new experiences that lie
ahead. These improvements are essential to enhancing services to our
audiences, artists and organizations that use the hall."
Improved amenities on the lower level,
such as new bathrooms, a new front entrance, and an elevator will bring
the facility up to standards with other modern buildings, making it more
inviting and accessible to the public. In addition, renovations to a
second theatre space will provide an area where smaller projects which
are in development can be rehearsed and prepared prior to being
performed on the main stage.
The $1.8 million LSPU Hall renovation
project was a joint investment between the provincial, federal, and
municipal governments and the arts community. The Department of Tourism,
Culture and Recreation also provides the Resource Centre for the Arts
with an annual $75,000 operating grant through its Cultural Economic
Development Program (CEDP).
Since the launch of the province's
cultural strategy, Creative Newfoundland and Labrador (2006), the
Provincial Government has tripled its annualized support for provincial
arts and cultural organizations and programming, from $3 million to $9
million. During that five-year period, more than $28 million in new
funding has been allocated in support of the arts and culture sectors.
The Resource Centre for the Arts is a
not-for-profit organization dedicated to the development, promotion and
presentation of art and artists of Newfoundland and Labrador. For more
information visit: www.rca.nf.ca
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Media contacts:
Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709-729-0928, 697-5061
heathermay@gov.nl.ca
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Katie Jackson
Communications and Marketing Officer
Resource Centre for the Arts/LSPU Hall
709-753-4531
rcacmo@rca.nf.ca
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2010 10 05
2:45 p.m.
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