The federal and provincial governments are going to contribute a total of $4.2 million to help build a new multi-functional theatre complex in Cow Head.
The Northern Peninsula town is the main base for Theatre Newfoundland Labrador’s annual Gros Morne Theatre Festival, which has grown to become an integral part of the province’s tourism sector and the region’s economy.
Gudie Hutchings, the Liberal Commons member for Long Range Mountains, announced a total of $3.7 million in federal funding towards this project during a press conference in Cow Head late Friday morning. Of this total, $2 million is being provided through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s Innovative Communities Fund , while another $1.7 million is coming from the federal Canadian Heritage department.
Premier Dwight Ball was also on hand to announce the provincial government will contribute an additional $500,000.
Theatre Newfoundland Labrador’s new 2,000 square-metre theatre complex will include a 178-seat venue for the Gros Morne Theatre Festival dinner theatre and musical productions.
The 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 box office and lobby areas.
The new complex will enable Theatre Newfoundland Labrador to increase its creative output and enhance production standards, while meeting health and safety requirements and better serving audiences.
The project is expected to create 100 jobs during construction.
