TORONTO, March 16, 2007 -- The Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, today announced funding of up to $389,000 for Harbourfront Centre. These funds will be used to update seating and purchase specialized video monitoring and sound equipment for three of the Harbourfront Centre's performance spaces: the Premiere Dance Theatre, the Enwave Theatre, and the York Quay Centre. Today's announcement follows the commitment made by Canada's New Government in May 2006 to provide $25 million over five years to support the operational requirements of the Harbourfront Centre.
"The Harbourfront Centre is a significant cultural gathering place in Toronto," said Minister Oda. "Canada's New Government is pleased to support the enhancement of three theatres in the Centre. Following its commitment of $25 million over five years to the Harbourfront Centre announced in May 2006, today's announcement of $389,000 will enable the Harbourfront Centre to upgrade performance facilities and ensure the highest quality for performers and audiences alike."
"I am extremely grateful for this timely assistance from Canadian Heritage," said William J.S. Boyle, Chief Executive Officer of Harbourfront Centre. "This will help us update and improve our aging infrastructure and technical equipment on our 10-acre site. With this contribution we can proceed with improvements in our three theatre facilities and two outdoor stages. This will ensure a continuation of quality presentations to the ethnoculturally diverse audiences we service and the over 450 community groups we partner with annually."
This project will enable Harbourfront Centre to better serve the needs of the performing arts community in Toronto. As one of Canada's leading presenters of performing arts, the replacement and upgrade of aging equipment is important to maintain the quality of its presentations. The Harbourfront Centre is an innovative not-for-profit cultural organization that creates events and activities that stimulate, educate and entertain the public.
Canada's New Government is providing funding through the Cultural Spaces Canada program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program supports cultural infrastructure projects that increase access for Canadians to performing, visual, and media arts, and to museum collections, heritage displays, and exhibitions.
Information:
Véronique Bruneau
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women
819 997-7788
Jaime Burke
A/Manager Communications
Ontario Region
Canadian Heritage
416 973-2050
