Development of a year-round cultural hub in Liverpool to revitalize and strengthen economy
September 4, 2014 – Liverpool, NS – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
Liverpool’s National Historic Site will soon become a year-round cultural community hub for the Region of Queens Municipality (RQM), thanks to a federal contribution of $129,820 as announced today by the Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency), and Gerald Keddy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue and for ACOA and Member of Parliament (South Shore–St. Margaret’s).
The former Town Hall, completed in 1902 and distinguished by its Classical Revival style, is being modernized over the next year to create a multi-functional building that will benefit the local arts and culture sector. This project will support a number of upgrades to the facility, including lighting and flooring modernization, the establishment of a box office and concession area, the development of a space for an Acadia First Nation artifact display as well as required improvements to restrooms. The Astor Theatre, housed within the building and billed as the oldest performing arts venue in the province, will gain additional space that will improve operations and allow for expanded events and activities.
Local arts and cultural organizations will use the refurbished historic site to offer more programming, host workshops, establish office and exhibit spaces. In addition, aerial photography and video footage of the infrastructure and natural assets of the Queens coastline, the community of Liverpool along with several others and the Mersey River will be used to encourage investment attraction, promotion and community revitalization.
The Government of Canada is providing a contribution of $129,820 through ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund. The Southwest Nova Tourism Task Team is contributing $2,273 towards this modernization project.
Quick Facts:
- The Liverpool Town Hall was designated as a National Historic Site of Canada in 1984.
- The Liverpool Town Hall was designed to accommodate a range of community functions including civic offices but also the community library, the registry of deeds for Queens County, and an opera house. Its size and formal design reflected Liverpool’s continuing importance as a commercial centre at the turn of the century.
- The Astor Theatre is the oldest performing arts venue in the province and is the home of the Liverpool International Theatre Festival founded in 1992.
Quotes:
“Our Government is pleased to support the Region of Queens Municipality as they undertake upgrades to the former Liverpool Town Hall to transform it into a year-round key community facility. This transformation will strengthen this cultural hub and will result in increased visitor traffic that will benefit the local economy for years to come.”
- The Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)
“The heart of Liverpool remains one of its greatest strengths, evident through its collective efforts to make this project a reality. Creating a year-round facility focused on promoting arts and culture is a critical component in the continuing effort to enhance and diversify opportunities for rural communities such as Liverpool.”
- Gerald Keddy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue and for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Member of Parliament for South Shore-St. Margaret’s
“The former Town Hall will soon undergo an important transformation, benefitting the community in more ways than one. The Centre will help to attract and keep businesses in the area as well as promote local arts and culture.”
- Christopher Clarke, Mayor, Region of Queens Municipality
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Contacts:
Kelsie Corey
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of State
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
613-941-7241
Alex Smith
Director, Communications and Outreach
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-426-9417 / 902-448-2748 (mobile)
Email: Alex.Smith@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Christopher Clarke
Mayor
Region of Queens Municipality
Phone: 902-354-3453
Email: cclarke@regionofqueens.com
