Released on November 29, 2002
The provincial Community Initiatives Fund will help create work, office,performance and display space for Moose Jaw and district arts and culture
groups, while improving the city's downtown. A new cultural centre will be
built with $1.25 million from the fund.
Labour Minister Deb Higgins and Social Services Minister Glenn Hagel today
presented a cheque for $937,500 to Moose Jaw Mayor Al Schwinghamer.
The contribution represents 75 per cent of the total provincial support
provided through the Community Initiatives fund. The cultural centre will
fulfil a key role in helping to ensure a focus for arts and culture in
downtown Moose Jaw.
The cultural centre will be located on the site of two historic buildings
on Main Street, the former Army and Navy building and the Capitol Theatre,
both constructed before 1920. The centre will include a 460-seat
performing arts theatre.
"This government is committed to Saskatchewan's arts and cultural
communities," Higgins said. "The Government of Saskatchewan is pleased to
contribute to the success of this ambitious project."
Moose Jaw Arts in Motion, a coalition of 56 arts groups and businesses and
81 individual artists representing more than 2,500 people, initiated the
proposal for the cultural centre, estimated at a total cost of $7 million.
"The cultural centre will be a catalyst in creating a vital, self-
sustaining arts based entertainment district in Moose Jaw. The province's
financial support has been instrumental in turning our dream into a
reality," Schwinghamer said.
"The people of Moose Jaw and district have illustrated their enthusiastic
support for the cultural centre. In addition to its benefits to the arts
and culture community, the centre will have lasting economic benefits for
Moose Jaw," Hagel said.
The province's Community Initiatives Fund was created in 1997 to distribute
a portion of casino profits for the benefit of Saskatchewan people. Since
then, more than 1,800 community groups have received a total of almost
$11.5 million.
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For more information, contact:
Wendy Campbell
Culture, Youth and Recreation
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-1062