Government of Canada invests in dynamic new cultural space at the Stratford Festival
STRATFORD, ON, Dec. 18, 2017 /CNW/ - Investing in cultural infrastructure helps Canada preserve the experiences of its people and places, and inspires visitors to explore and understand the world around them. The Government of Canada recognizes that strategic investments in public infrastructure play a key role in supporting dynamic communities while creating good jobs that help grow the middle class.
The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, today announced federal funding of $20 million for the construction of the new Tom Patterson Theatre Centre. This investment is being made through the Building Canada Fund – Provincial Territorial Infrastructure Component – National and Regional Projects.
The Government of Ontario is also contributing up to $20 million in funding for the new Centre and the remainder of the project costs, amounting to over $28 million, will be raised by the Stratford Festival through fundraising efforts.
The Stratford Festival is an internationally recognized leader in theatre production and has a long history of staging world-class productions that attract visitors from around the world. Built in 1906, the current Tom Patterson Theatre is reaching the end of its usable life and is unable to withstand renovations.
The existing theatre will be replaced with a new 75,000 square foot multi-purpose centre. This centre will include a new Tom Patterson Theatre with increased seating capacity, a renovated backstage, a digital media studio, an expanded arts research laboratory, and an education and exhibition classroom.
Once complete, the Centre will allow the Festival to host a greater number of cultural and creative events, attract more visitors, and promote Stratford as a cultural hub and regional attraction.
Quotes
"Cultural and recreational infrastructure make our communities places where families can play, where neighbours can meet, and where Canadians can celebrate the many cultures that make up our country. The new Centre will provide a gathering place for the community and will help to attract more visitors every year while contributing to our shared goal of building stronger and more dynamic communities across Canada."
The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
"Our government's $20-million in infrastructure funding will support construction of a multi-purpose centre that includes a new Tom Patterson Theatre and help attract theatre-going and other creative event audiences to the area. This new facility will enrich social and economic opportunities in the community, while preserving the Stratford Festival's status as a major regional and international tourist attraction."
The Honourable Bob Chiarelli, Ontario Minister of Infrastructure
"We are extremely grateful for this generous support from the governments of Canada and Ontario and are proud to live in a country in which our governments stand behind our efforts not only to be successful today but also to make the bold decisions necessary to develop the audiences and artists of the future."
Antoni Cimolino, Artistic Director of the Stratford Festival
Quick facts
- The Government of Canada will invest more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities.
- $21.9 billion of this funding will support social infrastructure in Canadian communities.
- Ontario is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, public transit, roads and bridges in the province's history—$190 billion over 13 years. To learn more about what's happening in your community, visit Ontario.ca/BuildON.
Associated links
Government of Canada's $180-billion+ infrastructure plan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/about-invest-apropos-eng.html
Federal infrastructure investments in Ontario: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/on-eng.html
Building Canada Fund - Provincial Territorial Infrastructure Component – National and Regional Projects: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/nrp-pnr-prog-eng.html
Twitter: @INFC_eng
Web: Infrastructure Canada
SOURCE Infrastructure Canada
For further information: Brook Simpson, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, 613-219-0149, [email protected]; Alex Benac, Press Secretary, Office of the Ontario Minister of Infrastructure, 416-326-2137, [email protected]; Ann Swerdfager, Publicity Director, Stratford Festival, 519-271-4040 ext. 2297, [email protected]; Infrastructure Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, [email protected]
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