Two Charlotte County schools are getting major upgrades with help from the provincial government.
Tourism, Heritage and Culture Minister John Ames made the announcement on behalf of Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Bill Fraser, who is also minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation.
“We are proud to invest in the renovations and upgrades to the St. Stephen Middle School theatre, which will be used by both students and the community to enhance theatrical experience.”
$289,000 from the province is being invested in the SSMS Theatre for renovations. New seats, floors, lights, acoustic panels, curtains and more… #981news pic.twitter.com/rZdIOu48KX
— @981News (@981news) August 20, 2018
The $346,167 project includes new lighting, flooring, curtains, acoustic panels, chairs, and outdoor stairs. It will also include a ramp so the facility is wheelchair accessible. $289,000 is being invested by the province, while the remaining $57,167 will be contributed by the parent school support committee.
SSMS Principal Bronwyn Tanner thanked the government and everyone involved in the project for their support, “This significant contribution will help us a great deal in achieving our overall fundraising goal. We are fortunate to have such a beautiful space, and the renovation will provide much needed upgrades and make it accessible for all.”
Tanner says the theatre plays an important role for the school and community, which is used often for various productions, assemblies, presentations, band, choir, and drama groups.
Meanwhile, the St. Croix Theatre Company is thrilled to hear about all the renovations coming to the St. Stephen Middle School Theatre.
Ella Goulding says they first started their non-profit thirty-three years ago on the stage at SSMS, then they went to the St. Stephen High School. She says in recent years its become more expensive and difficult to hold their productions in local venues, and they’ve now become homeless.
As you can see, the upgrades coming to the SSMS Theatre are definitely needed. #missingchairs pic.twitter.com/kBJQvPqYmt
— @981News (@981news) August 20, 2018
“We are looking for a home and are very excited to see these improvements happening to this beautiful facility. We are looking forward to being able to produce more plays for our community, right here in this place where we started.”
In Saint Andrews, Ames also announced $64,000 in funding for the Sir James Dunn Academy Theatre. That project includes new lighting, curtains, a sound system and bleacher seats.
For the past several years, staff and members of the community have been fundraising for the $129,000 project, and the PSSC will contribute the remaining $65,000.
(Picture – from left: Avis Scott, Ella Goulding, SSMS Principal Bronwyn Tanner, Minister John Ames, Director at Anglophone South School District Derek O’Brien, Cheri Russell, Hermione Russell-Samways, and Lindsay Russell-Samways)
