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The Province commits to revitalization of the
Vancouver East Cultural Centre
The Vancouver East Cultural Centre's
ground-breaking renovations received a huge boost this week in the form of a
$9 million investment from the Province, as announced by Finance Minister Carole Taylor at the unveiling of the 2008 BC
budget.
The funding will go toward the revitalization and restoration of
The Cultch (phase 1A and 1B), and will establish an endowment fund to assist
with the ongoing operation of the expanded centre.
"We're absolutely
thrilled that the Province is recognizing the important position that The Cultch
occupies both locally and nationally," said Heather Redfern, executive director of the
Vancouver East Cultural Centre. "The Cultch really is one of a kind, and this
investment will ensure that it continues to thrive as a national treasure for
years to come."
The first phase (1A & B) will see the construction
of a new three-storey addition to the current facility and the restoration of
the existing 99 year-old historic building. Phase 1A, which is currently under
construction, consists of the new addition and the upgrading of electrical,
plumbing and mechanical systems in the existing building.
Upon this
project's completion, the Vancouver East Cultural Centre will be one of the first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design) certified arts centre in Canada.
Phase 1B is slated to begin in
May 2008. This phase will upgrade the performance chamber to improve
functionality and ensure adequate sight lines for audiences and will also deal
with significant structural issues and seismic upgrades.
The project's
first major funding came in the form of the $1 million VanCity Award in 2002, indicating strong
community support for The Cultch. To-date, additional funds have been raised
from both public and private sources, including the Government of Canada - Department of Canadian
Heritage ($2.4 million), City of
Vancouver ($1.5 million), Vancouver
Foundation ($75,000), BMO Financial
Group ($50,000), The Christopher
Foundation ($25,000), Ticketmaster
($25,000), and numerous individual donors ($125,000). The Cultch
continues to fundraise in support of its ongoing capital campaign.
The
Vancouver East Cultural Centre is a significant cultural landmark. It engages
the community in contemporary theatre, music and dance programs from local,
national and international artists for audiences of all ages. The Cultch also
operates a youth program and an exceptional outreach program. The restored and
renovated facilities will allow for the expansion of the current programs and
will ensure that this jewel is preserved for generations to come.
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