Tuesday morning, in front of federal and local politicians, municipal
council and county representatives, dignitaries, and other major supporters, Tweed and
Company Theatre officially broke ground on their new Marble Arts Centre Atrium
addition. It’s something they’ve been working on since they acquired the historically
significant building over a year ago. A longtime home for their performances, they hope to turn the
venue into a safe, accessible, state-of-the-art cultural hub that the community
can enjoy well into the future.
Transforming it was simply a pipe dream until recently,
thanks to the theatre company’s widespread success and rapid growth throughout
Hastings County and their partnerships with local businesses and
organizations.
The project includes a glass lobby and major restorations to the theatre,
dressing rooms, and front entry. The theatre needs a safe and level full-width stage
suitable for large performances, increased storage and show space,and improved
lighting, sound rigging and theatrical draperies. They’ll be adding accessible seating,
entrances and exits, and hearing assist systems. The revamp will also include event
space, increased safety/restructuring of the entrance, higher electrical capacity, better
air flow, HVAC, HRV, heating and cooling, and finalizing the repairs from last year’s
tornado damage.
Thanks to the support of the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, the municipality and their
partners at Q&E Engineering have built a construction plan that’s already 90
per cent funded. The project has three phases: Phase 1 consists of foundational work,
basement and front entry repairs and new ramp, Phase 2 centres around atrium
construction, roofing, and window installation, and Phase 3 is focused on the interior,
stage restructuring, light rigging, dressing rooms, and more. Phase 1 and 2 could be
completed by the end of 2023, and the entire project could be finished by spring 2024
depending on funding.
To raise the final 10 per cent needed for the project, Tweed and Company has launched
a private sector Capital Campaign. As of the ground breaking ceremony, they’ve
already raised $60,000 – meaning they only need a remaining $40,000 to bring this
project from start to finish. For donations of $100 or more, donors will be part of the
Atrium Art Installation as a token of recognition. The donor’s name will be engraved on
a reclaimed piano key and installed permanently in the atrium along with hundreds of
others. Plus, major gifts of $500+ will get a cast iron plaque placed on the atrium lobby’s
Recognition Wall.
Visit marbleartscentre.ca for regular updates and to donate through Canada Helps.
MP Shelby Kramp-Neuman speaks in Tweed August 1/23. (Photo: Tweed and Company)
