Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador increase respective funding for project
January 18, 2019 – Corner Brook, NL – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Investing in people and places in Atlantic Canada helps strengthen important growth industries such as tourism, generating new opportunities and new, good-paying jobs.
Theatre Newfoundland Labrador (TNL) is currently constructing a 2,000 square metre, 178-seat multi-functional theatre complex for the Gros Morne Theatre Festival dinner theatre and musical productions. The new facility, in Cow Head on the province's Northern Peninsula, will enable TNL to increase its creative output and enhance production standards, meet health and safety requirements, and better serve its audiences.
That is why the Government of Canada is investing an additional $750,000 towards this project, and the Government of Newfoundland Labrador is investing an additional $500,000. Today's announcement brings a total Government of Canada investment for this important project to a total of more than $5 million dollars.
Gudie Hutchings, Member of Parliament for Long Range Mountains, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism, along with the Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador.
These additional investments build on commitments made by the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic Provinces to drive economic growth in the region through the Atlantic Growth Strategy by helping the region's tourism industry attract more visitors and create new jobs. This bold new approach is in line with Canada's Tourism Vision, which seeks to make Canada a top-ten global tourism destination by 2025.
"Theatre Newfoundland Labrador has been an important contributor to the economic and cultural vitality of Newfoundland and Labrador for many years. It is this kind of innovative spirit and unbending commitment that helps propel Canada's economy forward. This new theatre complex is creating jobs for more than 100 people during construction and increasing economic activity for the benefit of businesses and residents throughout the region."
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA
"For almost 40 years, Theatre Newfoundland Labrador has been producing top-quality professional theatre in western Newfoundland, including youth plays, touring shows and the Gros Morne Theatre Festival. Cultural spaces like TNL are ideal gathering places that allow Canadians to enjoy the arts in their own communities. Our government is proud to invest in this project, which will also help stimulate innovation, create jobs for the middle class and strengthen our economy."
- The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism
"Theatre Newfoundland Labrador and its partners are working tirelessly on this very important addition to Newfoundland and Labrador's artistic community and its regional economy. Visiting the construction site, seeing the progress and envisioning the final product is exciting for everyone in this area. From the contractors working to bring this site to life to the many artists who will bring life to its stages, from the residents and businesses who will benefit from the increased economic activity to the many tourists who will be entertained by the tales and tunes, the benefits of this new facility will be felt for generations."
- Gudie Hutchings, Member of Parliament for Long Range Mountains
"Theatre Newfoundland Labrador has been telling the story of our province and our culture for over 40 years. That culture – cultivated through song, music, dance and theatre – will become even more alive, more vibrant, and more dynamic when this new facility is completed in Cow Head. I commend all public and private contributors for recognizing how integral TNL is to sustaining, preserving and enhancing our unique cultural identity. We continue to see economic development activity generated by TNL's product and I eagerly look forward to when the stage is ready and the growth opportunity is realized."
- Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
"TNL is so very thankful to the Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador for the belief in and support of this extremely important facility and in its artistic work. The multi-functional theatre complex in Cow Head will ensure the continuation and growth of the Gros Morne Theatre Festival, which is a major contributor not only to the cultural tourism industry in the province, but to the provincial arts industry. TNL is proud of the work we do and the economic and cultural benefits this work brings to the Gros Morne region and the province in general. It would not be possible without the investment of the federal and provincial governments and the private sector. We, our artists and our communities thank you."
- Gaylene Buckle, General Manager, TNL
Quick facts
The Government of Canada is investing an additional $500,000 in this project through ACOA's Innovative Communities Fund, and $250,000 through Canadian Heritage. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is contributing an additional $500,000.
These investments are in addition to previously announced commitments of $3.7 million from the Government of Canada ($2 million from ACOA and $1.7 million from Canadian Heritage) and $500,000 from the Government of Newfoundland, towards the construction of the facility.
ACOA's Innovative Communities Fund (ICF) focuses on investments that lead to long-term employment and economic capacity building in Atlantic Canadian communities.
The ICF continues to build on the objectives of the Innovation and Skills Plan, a multi-year strategy to create well-paying jobs for the middle class and those working hard to join it.
TNL's new complex will include a performance stage and house seating, rehearsal and studio performance space, dressing rooms, a full kitchen and bar service area, a set fabrication workshop, a wardrobe workshop, wardrobe storage space, offices, as well as a box office and lobby areas.
The Government of Canada also invested a total of $646,399 to support the engineering, design and financial planning for this new facility.
