The Government of Canada Invests in Infrastructure and Accessibility Upgrades at the Kay Meek Arts Centre
News release
WEST VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 21, 2019
Pamela Goldsmith-Jones, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Consular Affairs) and Member of Parliament (West Vancouver–Sunshine Coast–Sea to Sky Country), today announced that the Government of Canada is providing funding of $1.48 million to the Kay Meek Arts Society for cultural infrastructure and accessibility enhancements at the Kay Meek Arts Centre. Parliamentary Secretary Goldsmith-Jones made this announcement on behalf of the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism.
With this funding, the Society will undertake a series of important upgrades to increase the Centre’s accessibility, creating a safer and more inclusive venue for performers and audience members. The Society worked collaboratively with the Rick Hansen Foundation as part of this project.
Activities will include installing a commercial elevator with complete access to all three levels of the building; expanding areas to include at-level dressing rooms and a covered breezeway to access both stage wings; replacing seating in the studio theatre; increasing the number of accessible seats in the main theatre; and building accessible public washrooms on the lower and upper levels. Additionally, the Society will replace outdated lighting and sound equipment, as well as purchase public art to display on the grounds of the Centre.
Funding for this project is provided through Canadian Heritage’s Canada Cultural Spaces Fund.
Quotes
“Our government is committed to supporting Canadians by investing in infrastructure projects that promote inclusivity and accessibility. Removing barriers and creating opportunities for a more active and prosperous society benefits us all. Thanks to these upgrades, the Kay Meek Arts Centre will be able to present its work to even more Canadians.”
—The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism
“The Kay Meek Arts Centre is an important and much loved cultural venue in West Vancouver. I’m delighted to celebrate this investment and I commend all the volunteers and the Board on their commitment to accessibility and inclusivity for the performing arts, for all.”
— Pamela Goldsmith-Jones, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Consular Affairs) and Member of Parliament (West Vancouver–Sunshine Coast–Sea to Sky Country)
“On behalf of the Kay Meek Board of Directors, I would like to thank the Department of Canadian Heritage for supporting such a worthy project through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund. The federal government’s significant investment is transformative, and the result will be a facility of the highest standards for performance and accessibility. These vital upgrades will make our venue a more welcoming space for our diverse community across West Vancouver and the North Shore.”
—Betsy Gibbons, Board Chair, Kay Meek Arts Centre
Quick facts
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The Kay Meek Arts Society operates the Kay Meek Arts Centre in West Vancouver. The Centre focuses on bringing professional music, theatre and dance performances to the local area. It is the only performing arts centre in West Vancouver and offers an annual performing arts series that includes classical, jazz and contemporary music, and it also hosts touring theatre and dance performances.
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The Centre is owned by the West Vancouver School District and is attached to the West Vancouver Secondary School campus, which allows students to make use of the Kay Meek Arts Centre’s professional facilities.
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The Kay Meek Arts Centre is home to two venues: a 498-seat proscenium main stage and a 150-seat black box studio theatre.
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The Canada Cultural Spaces Fund supports the improvement of physical conditions for arts, heritage, culture and creative innovation. The fund supports renovation and construction projects, the acquisition of specialized equipment and feasibility studies related to cultural spaces.
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Contacts
For more information (media only), please contact:
Simon Ross
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and
Multiculturalism
819-997-7788
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
pch.media-media.pch@canada.ca
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