Cambridge, Ontario, March 8, 2013 – Local residents and members of Cambridge's arts and culture community today celebrated the grand opening of the new state-of-the-art, 500-seat Dunfield Theatre Cambridge. Housed within a 59,000-square-foot performing arts complex, this theatre was built thanks to a partnership between the governments of Canada and Ontario, the City of Cambridge and Drayton Entertainment. It will bring important cultural and economic benefits to the region, create jobs, boost Cambridge's tourism industry and be a focal point for the Canadian arts community.
"Our Government is proud to invest in state-of-the-art cultural facilities like the Dunfield Theatre Cambridge that will promote local artists and showcase great Canadian talent,"
said the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology) (Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario) and Member of Parliament for Cambridge. "Infrastructure investments are an important driver of economic growth and job creation, and we are pleased that this new facility will make Cambridge an even better place to live, work and raise a family."
"Arts and culture help to stimulate the economy, draw visitors to our province and enhance our quality of life,"
said Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. "The new Dunfield Theatre Cambridge will enrich the cultural fabric of this community and provide exciting opportunities for people to engage in the arts. The Ontario government is pleased to support such a worthy project."
Cambridge Mayor Doug Craig says the effective public and private partnership has made such a significant initiative possible. "Development was on the fast track in Cambridge. This new theatre brings a plethora of cultural opportunities to our city as well as providing benefits to all of southwestern Ontario. It's a proud day."
"This is truly a momentous occasion in the history of our arts organization,"
said Mr. Alex Mustakas, Artistic Director and CEO of award-winning Drayton Entertainment. "The grand opening of the Dunfield Theatre Cambridge signals a new era for arts, culture and heritage in this great city, while also providing a platform for our organization to develop exciting new artistic opportunities that will have both national and international significance."
The Government of Canada contributed $6.72 million towards this cultural infrastructure project. Infrastructure Canada contributed $6 million from the Major Infrastructure Component of the Building Canada Fund for the construction of this high calibre performance arts complex, which includes the Dunfield Theatre Cambridge, and for the renovation of four other theatres throughout Ontario operated by Drayton Entertainment, including the Drayton Festival Theatre (Drayton), King's Wharf Theatre (Penetanguishene), Huron Country Playhouse (Grand Bend), and the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse (St. Jacobs). Canadian Heritage has also provided funding of $725,000 through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund to Drayton Entertainment for the purchase and installation of specialized equipment which will ensure an improved experience for theatre artists and audiences at the Dunfield Theatre Cambridge and St. Jacobs Country Playhouse.
The Government of Ontario and the City of Cambridge also contributed $6 million each towards the total eligible project costs of $19.7 million. Drayton Entertainment is responsible for the balance of this project through their $4.5 million fundraising campaign.
The Building Canada Fund – Major Infrastructure Component provides funding for major infrastructure projects that contribute, among other things, to cultural, economic, community recreation and tourism development.
The Canada Cultural Spaces Fund seeks to improve physical conditions for artistic creativity and arts presentation or exhibition. It is also designed to increase access for Canadians to performing, visual, and media arts, and to museum collections and heritage displays.
Canada's Economic Action Plan promotes new opportunities for growth, job creation and long-term prosperity. Strengthening infrastructure across the country is an important part of this plan. Thanks to the Government of Canada's leadership and our strong economic and financial fundamentals, the Canadian economy has recovered from the global recession better than most other industrialized countries. Canada has been a leader among G-7 countries throughout the recovery with more than 900,000 net new jobs created since July 2009.
This investment also supports Building Together, the Government of 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, Ontario has invested approximately $75 billion in infrastructure. Building modern, efficient infrastructure has created or preserved close to 100,000 jobs each year, on average, making Ontario's economy more productive and improving quality of life, now and in the future.
For additional information about federal investments in infrastructure and to stay up-to-date with Infrastructure Canada Web feeds, visit Infrastructure Canada.
For more information on Canadian Heritage, visit Canadian Heritage.
For more information on how Ontario is revitalizing its infrastructure, visit Ontario Minitry of Infrastrucutre.
Geneviève Sicard
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Rob Foote
Minister's Office
Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport
rob.foote@ontario.ca
416-327-4365
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca
Linda Fegan
Director of Corporate Communications and Marketing
City of Cambridge
519-740-4683 extension 4623
cell 519-212-3409
Alex Mustakas
Artistic Director and CEO
Drayton Entertainment
519-621-5511 extension 222
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Or toll-free 1-877-250-7154
