Massey Theatre gets $20.1 million investment from City of New Westminster
Funds will go toward renovations and accessibility at the historic venue
Massey Theatre Arts Complex (Eighth & Eight Creative Spaces).
IT’S A GOOD DAY for the Massey Theatre Society: today it announced an investment of $20.1 million from the City of New Westminster. The funding will go toward renovations and accessibility in to the Massey Theatre Arts Complex (Eighth & Eight Creative Spaces).
It’s just phase one of the City’s investment into the theatre and ancillary spaces, according to a release.
“The City has further committed to the preservation of the historic Massey Theatre through this $20.1M investment in repairs, structural upgrades, and accessibility improvements,” City of New Westminster Mayor Patrick Johnstone says in the release. “We are fortunate to have a partner in the Massey Theatre Society dedicated to not just programming a grand theatre, but in making the space an arts hub that serves the entire community.”
The repairs will include replacing roofs and the exterior wall system, removal of the North Wing gymnasium, and enhanced accessibility with new elevators and accessible universal washrooms.
“A significant investment in the structure by the City of New Westminster is essential for our charitable organization to raise the funds necessary to make our own investments in the arts and our specialised infrastructure,” Jessica Schneider, Massey Theatre Society executive director, says in the statement. “This partnership brings tremendous renewal that will benefit the entire community locally and regionally.”
Current Massey Theatre programs include mainstage presentations, free community nights, artist access program with reduced rates, Coming Home Program (2SLGBTQ+ social programs), artistic creation residencies, gallery programs, and more.
Initiatives in development include a community kitchen, Present Yourself Studio Theatre Series, Old School Music Hall Series, immersive and interactive digital exhibitions, and art-based camps, to name some.
See www.masseytheatre.com for more details.
Related Articles
