Government of Canada Invests in Regent Theatre

PICTON, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Jan. 25, 2011) - On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, Daryl Kramp, Member of Parliament (Prince Edward–Hastings), today announced funding for the Regent Theatre.

The Regent Theatre, a historic landmark and venue, is a significant centre for the arts serving the population of Prince Edward County. The theatre provides popular year-round programming for its community that includes locally produced music, dance, and theatre; touring professional artists; opera; and regular movie nights.

The funding provided through this project will directly impact the renovation and revitalization of the 19^th-century Regent Theatre building. Improvements will be made to the building's historic exterior façade. The improvements to the interior of the building will ensure that the facility meets fire and safety requirements and is fully wheelchair accessible. Regent Theatre patrons will be better served with increased auditorium seating capacity.

"Our Government is proud to support projects that provide more opportunities for people to connect with their communities through shared cultural activities," said Minister Moore. "This project will not only create new jobs in Prince Edward County, but also strengthen the region's cultural economy for years to come."

"The Regent Theatre, with its long and storied history, has been bringing enjoyment to the residents of Prince Edward County and beyond for many years," said Mr. Kramp. "On behalf of the Government of Canada, I am pleased to provide this grant to the Regent Theatre Foundation. This funding will ensure that the Regent Theatre continues to be a venue that entertains and delights us for a long, long time."

"The Regent Theatre Foundation would like to thank the Government of Canada for its generous financial support," said Jane Moon, Chair of the Regent Theatre Foundation. "We are now able to commit to our plan of renovations to ensure that the historic Regent Theatre in Picton is an accessible and sustainable venue to be enjoyed by our community and future generations to come."

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $240,700 through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program 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.

As part of Canada's Economic Action Plan, an additional $60 million over two years was announced to stimulate the economy by investing in cultural infrastructure through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund.

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(This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Newsroom.)