PORT PERRY, Ontario, March 7, 2007 - The Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, today along with representatives from the Town Hall 1873, Port Perry's performing arts centre, announced $40,000 of federal funding to support the purchase and installation of specialized sound, lighting and stage equipment for the Town Hall 1873 Centre for the Performing Arts. "Town Hall 1873 is a central part of Port Perry's cultural and community life. I know how the Town Hall has contributed to Port Perry for over a century," said Minister Oda. "As part of Canada's New Government I am happy to enable performance facilities such as this in smaller communities across Canada. I look forward to attending more events in the Town Hall, an important facility in the area.""This funding means we can now move forward with our professionally designed modern sound system which will be a benefit to our patrons and performers alike," said Richard Drew, Chair, Town Hall 1873 Centre for the Performing Arts. "We are extremely grateful."Built in 1873, the town hall was initially used as a centre for legal and community services. Since then, it has also served as courthouse, opera house and even a high school auditorium. One century after its construction, a group of interested citizens decided to convert the building into a performing arts centre whose doors officially opened in 1976. For over 30 years, Town Hall 1873 has been used to host professional Canadian music and drama talent including several local performing arts groups and community organizations. Canada's New Government has provided funding through the Cultural Spaces Canada program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program supports cultural infrastructure projects that contribute to improved physical conditions for artistic creation, presentation and exhibition, and increase access for Canadians to performing, visual and media arts as well as to museum collections, heritage displays and exhibitions.Information: Véronique BruneauPress SecretaryOffice of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women819 997-7788Donald BoulangerA/Chief, Media RelationsCanadian Heritage819 994-9101
