Kitchener, Ontario, November 8, 2011 – Federal, provincial and municipal representatives gathered in Kitchener today to celebrate the official grand re-opening of the Centre in the Square Theatre.
The venue, with 2,000 seats and one of the largest stages in North America, recently underwent renovations, which included improving the access road for patron drop-off, upgrading seating and carpeting in the performance hall and lobby and the establishing a new smaller performance hall for community programming.
"Our government is proud to invest in projects that create jobs, contribute to the local economy, and enrich our community"
, said Stephen Woodworth, Member of Parliament for Kitchener Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. "Centre in the Square is an important asset for Kitchener."
"Our government is making strategic infrastructure investments to stimulate the economy, build stronger communities and create jobs; in fact, this project created up to 80 construction jobs for Ontario families,"
said the Honourable John Milloy, Member of Provincial Parliament for Kitchener Centre. "This new and improved facility will support Waterloo Region's arts and theatre programs and allow residents and guests to enjoy the Centre for years to come."
"The Centre in the Square is a jewel in the heart of downtown Kitchener and the City of Kitchener is pleased with the cultural and economic vibrancy this facility provides our community,"
stated Mayor Carl Zehr. "The City has a long history of creating, supporting and enhancing our cultural landscapes and we are proud to have contributed funding for this important project."
The governments of Canada and Ontario are each contributing one third of the total eligible project costs, to a maximum of $400,000 each. The City of Kitchener is contributing the balance of the total project cost of $1.2 million.
Federal funding for this project comes from the Government of Canada's Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, which has supported over 4,100 infrastructure projects across the country.
This project supports Building Together, Ontario's long-term infrastructure plan to repair, rebuild and renew the province's roads and highways, bridges, public transit, schools and postsecondary institutions, hospitals and courthouses. Since 2003, the Government of Ontario has created and supported 600,000 jobs and invested $62 billion in infrastructure. Through Building Together, Ontario will continue to make significant investments in public infrastructure, starting with an investment of more than $35 billion over the next three years.
For additional information about investments in infrastructure, visit infrastructure.gc.ca.
For further information about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit actionplan.gc.ca.
For more information on how Ontario is revitalizing its infrastructure, visit ontario.ca/infrastructure.
To download a short broadcast-quality video highlighting a few of the many successful infrastructure projects across Canada, visit infrastructure.gc.ca/video/video-eng.html.
Contacts:
Pierre Floréa
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Office of MPP Milloy
519-579-5460
Andrea Bailey
Interim Manager of Communications and Marketing
City of Kitchener
519-741-2458
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Or toll-free 1-877-250-7154
