New Investments in Theatre Newfoundland Labrador Help Make Cow Head Facility a Reality

  • Executive Council
  • Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

January 18, 2019

Theatre Newfoundland Labrador (TNL) is currently constructing a 2,000 square metre, 178-seat multi-functional theatre complex for the Gros Morne Theatre Festival dinner theatre and musical productions. The new facility, in Cow Head on the province’s Northern Peninsula, will enable TNL to increase its creative output and enhance production standards, meet health and safety requirements, and better serve its audiences.

That is why the Government of Newfoundland Labrador is investing an additional $500,000 towards this project, and the Government of Canada is investing an additional $750,000. Today’s announcement brings a total Provincial Government investment for this important project to $1 million, and the Government of Canada investment to a total of more than $5 million dollars.

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, made the announcement today, along with Gudie Hutchings, Member of Parliament for Long Range Mountains, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism.

These additional investments build on commitments made by the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic Provinces to drive economic growth in the region through the Atlantic Growth Strategy by helping the region’s tourism industry attract more visitors and create new jobs. This bold new approach is in line with Canada’s Tourism Vision, which seeks to make Canada a top-10 global tourism destination by 2025.

As part of The Way Forward, government is committed to a new Cultural Action Plan to help set priorities and key actions towards supporting and sustaining the cultural sector. Support for Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador also delivers on commitments of The Way Forward to strengthen the province’s economic foundation. The Way Forward outlines all actions the Provincial Government is taking to achieve a strong, diversified province with a high standard of living, and can be viewed at www.gov.nl.ca/thewayforward/.

Quotes
“Theatre Newfoundland Labrador has been telling the story of our province and our culture for over 40 years. That culture – cultivated through song, music, dance and theatre – will become even more alive, more vibrant, and more dynamic when this new facility is completed in Cow Head. I commend all public and private contributors for recognizing how integral Theater Newfoundland Labrador is to sustaining, preserving and enhancing our unique cultural identity. We continue to see economic development activity generated by the organization’s product and I eagerly look forward to the day when the stage is ready and the growth opportunity is realized.”
Honourable Dwight Ball
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“Theatre Newfoundland Labrador has been an important contributor to the economic and cultural vitality of Newfoundland and Labrador for many years. It is this kind of innovative spirit and unbending commitment that helps propel Canada’s economy forward. This new theatre complex is creating jobs for more than 100 people during construction and increasing economic activity for the benefit of businesses and residents throughout the region.”
Honourable Navdeep Bains
Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA

“For almost 40 years, Theatre Newfoundland Labrador has been producing top-quality professional theatre in western Newfoundland, including youth plays, touring shows and the Gros Morne Theatre Festival. Cultural spaces like TNL are ideal gathering places that allow Canadians to enjoy the arts in their own communities. Our government is proud to invest in this project, which will also help stimulate innovation, create jobs for the middle class and strengthen our economy.”
Honourable Pablo Rodriguez
Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism

“Theatre Newfoundland Labrador and its partners are working tirelessly on this very important addition to Newfoundland and Labrador’s artistic community and its regional economy. Visiting the construction site, seeing the progress and envisioning the final product is exciting for everyone in this area. From the contractors working to bring this site to life to the many artists who will bring life to its stages, from the residents and businesses who will benefit from the increased economic activity to the many tourists who will be entertained by the tales and tunes, the benefits of this new facility will be felt for generations.”
Gudie Hutchings
Member of Parliament for Long Range Mountains

“TNL is so very thankful to the Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador for the belief in and support of this extremely important facility and in its artistic work. The multi-functional theatre complex in Cow Head will ensure the continuation and growth of the Gros Morne Theatre Festival, which is a major contributor not only to the cultural tourism industry in the province, but to the provincial arts industry. TNL is proud of the work we do and the economic and cultural benefits this work brings to the Gros Morne region and the province in general. It would not be possible without the investment of the federal and provincial governments and the private sector. We, our artists and our communities thank you.”
Gaylene Buckle
General Manager, Theatre Newfoundland Labrador

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Learn more

Theatre Newfoundland Labrador

The Way Forward

Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL and @TCII_GovNL

Media contacts
Jason Card
Office of the Premier
709-729-3558
jasoncard@gov.nl.ca

Paul McGrath
ACOA NL
709-772-2984
Paul.McGrath@canada.ca

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
pch.media-media.pch@canada.ca

Gaylene Buckle
Theatre Newfoundland Labrador
709-639-7238
tnl@theatrenewfoundland.com

2019 01 18 2:25 pm