New theatre and dance venue for youth coming to Sherbrooke
The ministry of Canadian Heritage awarded $2.7 million in funding for the creation of a 300-seat performance venue that will be tailored specifically to theatre and dance events for children and youth.
The announcement was made yesterday by Compton-stanstead MP and Minister of International Development and La Francophonie Marie-claude Bibeau on behalf of Canadian Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly.
Other partners in the project include the City of Sherbrooke, the Quebec ministry of Culture and Communications and Côté scène, a local organization specializing in theatre and dance for youth.
The total cost of the new venue, scheduled to be completed by spring of 2019, is $8 million.
The performance space will be attached to the Jean-besré performing arts centre on Depot Street.
Normand Chouinard, president of the Côté scène board of directors, was excited to announce that the funding for the project had been secured.
“I can’t wipe the smile from my face,” he said, explaining that the theatre community has been waiting for a venue of this type in the area for 30 years.
“We kept creating,” Chouinard said, “but we needed a place to show; now we’ll have it.”
Speaking to the children in the room, Chouinard said, “you may not realize it yet, but a beautiful gift is coming to you.”