Work on this federal-provincial-municipal partnership project moving well
Calgary, Alberta, December 6, 2013 – Mount Royal University celebrated today the raising of the roof on its new Conservatory and Bella Concert Hall. Government officials were on hand for the celebration, along with members of the Taylor Family, for whom the Bella Concert Hall is named.
"Our Government is proud to invest in significant infrastructure projects, like Mount Royal University's new Conservatory, as we focus on creating jobs, promoting growth, and building strong, prosperous communities here in Calgary, in Alberta and across Canada,"
said Joan Crockatt, Member of Parliament for Calgary—Centre on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs, and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec. "The new Bella Concert Hall will provide a venue unique in the City of Calgary, while the remainder of the building will help the Conservatory meet the needs of its growing student body and the community."
"Calgary's vibrant cultural community will be all the stronger with the addition of this magnificent venue,"
said Alberta Culture Minister Heather Klimchuk. "As we continue to build Alberta for the future, Calgarians and visitors from across the province will be able to experience the finest in the performing and visual arts in the Bella Concert Hall, a world-class facility. The Government of Alberta is proud to partner with the federal government and the Taylor family to support this tremendous project!"
"I am so pleased to have this space where children and adults alike can further their artistic endeavours,"
says Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi. "The Conservatory at Mount Royal has played a key role in building a vibrant arts sector in our community for many years, and I am confident that the new building will greatly enhance their important contribution to our city."
The Conservatory is MRU's oldest and original program, starting in 1910 when Mount Royal began as a primary and secondary school college. Today it is arguably one of the finest Conservatory programs in Canada. Having a custom-created space will allow the Conservatory to expand significantly over the next three to five years. Then there's Calgary's newest performing hall which will be housed in the Conservatory, and, like its name, will be a real beauty.
"The Bella Concert Hall is the jewel at the heart of the new Conservatory,"
said MRU President David Docherty, PhD. "It will be a wonderful new home for many of our concert activities but it will also be the first professional, quality mid-sized concert hall in Calgary. Ideally suited for many of Calgary's performance organizations who need a 700 to 800 seat hall, the Bella will accommodate a broad range of activities that are currently under served."
The project would not have been possible without a $21-million contribution provided by the Taylor family. The concert hall will be named in honour of their family matriarch, Mary Belle (Sherwood) Taylor, in recognition of the family's generosity.
"In the spring of 1912, a 21-year-old bride boarded a train in Kingston, Ontario, and headed west to the Prairies to follow her husband and make a new life farming,"
said her son Don Taylor. "After the family lost the farm in the Depression, she moved to Calgary where she ran a boarding house to help support her family. This hall bears her name, Bella. In my mind, she was a true Alberta pioneering woman, a title I'm sure she would have been proud to wear."
In addition to the Taylor Family, the federal government is contributing up to $20 million toward the eligible costs of this project under the Major Infrastructure Component of the Building Canada Fund. The provincial government is also contributing up to $20 million, the City of Calgary is contributing $10.3 million, and the University is contributing over $3 million in land and other project costs.
Canada's Economic Action Plan 2013 is delivering $70 billion for public infrastructure, including a $53 billion New Building Canada Plan to build roads, bridges, subways, commuter rail, and other public infrastructure in cooperation with provinces, territories, and municipalities. 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 1 million net new jobs created since July 2009. The New Building Canada Plan, combined with other federal infrastructure investments, will support Canada's infrastructure advantage, a key enabler of economic growth and job creation.
For additional information about federal investments in infrastructure visit Infrastructure Canada or follow us on Twitter @INFC_eng.
For further information about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit Canada's Economic Action Plan.
About Mount Royal
Mount Royal University is one of Canada's top destinations for undergraduate studies. It offers small class sizes and personalized student services within a scholarly community renowned for academic excellence and a focus on teaching and learning. Founded in 1910, Mount Royal remains dedicated to the success of its students. Today, some 12,000 credit students take a variety of programs and courses including bachelor's degrees, applied degrees, university transfer courses, diplomas and certificates. More than 85,000 Mount Royal alumni are contributing to their communities world-wide.
Contacts:
Marie-Josée Paquette
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and
Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
613-943-1838
Trish Filevich
Press Secretary to the Minister of Alberta Culture
Telephone: 780-719-4639
trish.filevich@gov.ab.ca
Paula Arab
Media Relations
Office of University Advancement
Mount Royal University
403-440-8885 or
403-889-9128
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251 or
Toll-free: 1-877-250-7154
