Parliamentary Secretary Randy Kamp Announces Support for Clarke Foundation Theatre

MISSION, BC, Oct. 1, 2013 /CNW/ - Randy Kamp, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Member of Parliament (Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge-Mission), today announced funding for upgrades to the Clarke Foundation Theatre. He made this announcement on behalf of the Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

"The Clarke Foundation Theatre is an important cultural facility for residents of the Fraser Valley," said Mr. Kamp. "Since opening its doors in 1996, the Theatre has established a proud history of presenting excellent cultural programming. Thanks to this investment, the Theatre will now be able to increase the variety of its artistic offerings."

Funding will support the purchase and installation of industry-standard theatre equipment, allowing the Clarke Foundation Theatre to present a greater number of professional dance and theatre productions. These technical upgrades will improve the facility's overall efficiency and enable the Theatre to offer more technically sophisticated shows.

"We are pleased to help the Clarke Foundation Theatre improve its facilities to provide a better environment for both artists and audiences," said Minister Glover. "Today's announcement is a wonderful example of how our Government supports organizations that contribute to the cultural vitality and quality of life of our communities."

"The Mission Public School District thanks the Government of Canada for its contribution to the Clarke Theatre upgrading project," said School District Superintendent Bill Fletcher. "Upgrading the Clarke Theatre facility will ensure that the school population and the community of Mission continue to have access to cultural experiences on a regional and national scale. These experiences enrich the lives of the community and contribute to the intellectual and cultural enrichment of the students."

The Clarke Foundation Theatre, owned and operated by School District No. 75 of Mission, B.C., is a multi-purpose facility for civic and touring events. The Theatre has hosted hundreds of presentations, highlighting local as well as Canadian and international talent. The facility is the only professional theatre in Mission and serves a population base of over 150,000.

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $73,620 through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program seeks to improve physical conditions for artistic creativity and arts presentations or exhibitions. It is also designed to increase access for Canadians to performing arts, visual arts, media arts, museum collections, and heritage displays.

SOURCE: Canadian Heritage

For further information:

For more information (media only), please contact:

Marisa Monnin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
819-997-7788

Anna Gravelle
A/Regional Manager
Communications
Western Region
Canadian Heritage
604-666-6504

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
[e-mail]

(This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Newsroom.)