EDMONTON, Oct. 21, 2017 /CNW/ - Edmonton residents are benefitting from enhancements to the Shumka Dance Centre, the result of a $72,000 investment from the Government of Canada. The Shumka Dance Centre is a facility where Canadian and Ukrainian cultures are celebrated through dance.
The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada, announced the funding through the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program today.
Funding for the Shumka Dance Centre supported the conversion of the office warehouse into dance space, upgrades to the kitchen and the expansion of the reception area. These improvements ensure the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers, an organization that runs the dance centre, will continue to preserve, present and promote Canadian-Ukrainian inspired dance for years to come.
This investment is being allocated under the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program, a $300-million fund that was established to celebrate Canada's 150th birthday through investments in the community spaces that bring Canadians together. Of that amount, up to $92.4 million is being invested across Western Canada.
Quotes
"This investment is a community-building project to celebrate Canada's 150th anniversary. And there's no better way to mark this milestone than to celebrate the places that bring us together—the places that allow us to stay fit, unwind and connect with our friends and neighbours. That's how we establish the bonds of common understanding and friendship in a country where people come from every corner of the world. The values of openness, diversity and inclusion that define all Canadians are forged in our community spaces."
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic
Development, and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada
"The Shumka Dance Centre is a treasured hub for Canadian-Ukrainian performing arts and culture activity in Edmonton. It is a space that engages diverse communities through performance, education and creates opportunities for inclusive participation for all. I am proud of the evolving Canadian-Ukrainian dance form celebrated at this centre and the support provided through the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program."
- Randy Boissonnault, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre
"Through the Canada 150 Western Economic Diversification Canada funding, we were able to complete significant upgrades to our facility that allow us to operate like a true dance centre. With four equipped studios, functional wardrobe and storage space and meeting rooms, the Shumka Dance Centre is a useful facility not only for Shumka and the Shumka School of Dance but other community and arts groups as well."
- Darka Tarnawsky, Executive Director of the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers.
Associated Link
Western Economic Diversification Canada – Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program
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Twitter: @WD_Canada, @canada150th
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Website: WD Homepage, Canada 150 Homepage
Facebook: @canada150th
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SOURCE Western Economic Diversification Canada
For further information: Donna Kinley, Communications Manager, Western Economic Diversification Canada, 780-495-6892, Donna.Kinley@canada.ca
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