Hamilton, Ontario, November 5, 2011 – The Dundas Valley School of Art has been renewed and students and staff are now benefitting from the school's many upgrades. Federal and municipal representatives joined board members, faculty, staff and students at the school's re-opening festivities today.
The restoration and enhancement of the school's three-story brick heritage building provides students and staff with a more modern and comfortable learning and work environment, improves accessibility and energy efficiency, and prolongs the life of this important building. Work included installing an elevator; repairing stairwells; upgrades to heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems; construction of new washrooms; revamping the school's library, work stations and gallery space; and lighting and plumbing upgrades throughout the school.
"Our government is proud to invest in projects that contribute to the local economy, support our arts and culture, and enrich communities,"
said David Sweet, Member of Parliament for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. "Canada's Economic Action Plan has delivered real results for the Dundas Valley School of Art. This renewed facility will enable students to continue to create beautiful works, and will help teachers to encourage and inspire for generations to come."
"Through the collective efforts of the City of Hamilton, our federal government and the Dundas Arts Community Foundation in partnership with the Dundas Valley School of Art, we have been able to renew, restore and rebuild one of Dundas' local and regional treasures,"
said Councillor R.F. (Russ) Powers, Ward 13 – Dundas. "I am pleased to have had the opportunity to work with our MP, David Sweet, to acquire adequate funding to make this project happen."
"In 2001 we set a dream in motion. Today we realize that dream with the help of the community, the City and the federal government,"
said John Farnan, Board Chair, Dundas Valley School of Art.
The Government of Canada is contributing half of total eligible project costs, to a maximum of $2.45 million. The City of Hamilton has contributed the balance of the total eligible project cost of $4.90 million.
Federal support for this project comes from the Government of Canada's Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, which has resulted in over 4,100 infrastructure projects across the country.
For additional information about investments in infrastructure, visit infrastructure.gc.ca.
For further information about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit actionplan.gc.ca.
Contacts:
Pierre Floréa
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Office of Councillor Powers
905-546-2714
Arthur Greenblatt
Executive Director
Dundas Valley School of Art
905-628-6357 extension 205
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Or toll-free 1-877-250-7154
