Nova Scotia’s provincial government has announced a $10 million to help cover the overall $38.5 million budget to modernize Dalhousie University’s performing arts centre.
“It is, in many ways, the arts which we’re known for,” said Premier Stephen McNeil at the Sir James Dunn Theatre in announcing the contribution. “It builds the fabric of where we live. It tells our own stories, to ourselves and to others. And without the proper environment to be able to build on that, we fail ourselves.”
Dalhousie president Richard Florizone said the project will provide much-needed enhancements to the almost 50-year-old centre.
Improvements will include air quality, energy savings, physical accessibility, sound-proof practice rooms and a new 300-seat concert venue, the Joseph Strug Concert Hall. Halifax businessman Morris Strug donated $5 million last year to create the facility, named in honour of his late son.
“With this support from the province, which we are so grateful for, we are much closer to our goal of $38.5 million for this entire project,” the ChronicleHerald quoted Florizone as saying.
“The campaign overall will set a new standard for excellence in performing arts education here at our Fountain School of Performing Arts.”
Architects Lydon Lynch and Thomas Payne from Halifax and Toronto, respectively, are designing the structure.
