LYRIC THEATRE RECEIVES A TIMELY DONATION
3S Enterprises made a $50,000 donation to the Lyric Theatre to help fund additional improvements.
The next phase of improvements at the Lyric Theatre was given a kickstart on Monday when 3S Enterprises made a $50,000 donation to help pay for lighting, sound and stage upgrades.
“The beauty of this money, it’s so wonderful because it’s targeted specifically at helping us improve our sound, lighting and stage,” explained Gordon Mccall, Artistic Director for The Lyric Theatre.
“We’re going to eventually extend the stage a bit, meaning add some depth to it, and different access. Things that are really overdue. And so this is a wonderful support,” he added.
“It won’t be a massive change, but aesthetically it will be we think pleasing. And also functionally it will allow us to operate the stage just in a more functional manner than we can right now.”
He noted their current sound and lighting equipment is in danger of becoming obsolete, so the donation comes at an important time when they are exploring modern digital equipment options.
Michelle Andreas, Chief Executive Officer for S3 Enterprises, said it was an easy decision to support the endeavours at the Lyric Theatre.
“S3 has been a long term employer here in the City of Swift Current, and we believe in supporting the community. And we want to ensure that if we’re going to spend money in the community, we’re going to support things that appeal to our employees, that are family centric, and that ultimately just enhance the overall experience of being a resident of Swift Current. We want people to love being here, as we do.”
She added that the historic Lyric Theatre continues to play an important role in the community.
“It’s one of those just special little treasures that Swift Current can call its own little gem. And we want to make sure that it’s successful,” Andreas said. “Our owner Bob Sonntag is a believer in this community and he wants to do things that will impact the community and the people in it.”
Lyric Theatre Board President Denise Wall said the timely donation was made just as they are preparing to launch a series of fund-raising initiatives to help further improve the building.
“It’s so exciting. I think it gives us the energy to keep moving forward,” she said.
The current improvement project at the Lyric Theatre involves the construction of a stairwell to connect all three levels of the building. Once the stairs are completed, the theatre’s offices will relocate to a second floor space, and additional improvement can begin on the upper level. There are also plans to relocate the Green Room, currently located behind the stage, to a new spot in the basement level.
“We have big plans for other things. We need floor to floor fire separation before we can do much up there. And of course an elevator,” Wall said.
“We’ve got some ideas on the horizon to launch some new fundraising campaigns. And new programming also, which hopefully will bring in some of the funding as well,” Wall said.
The current renovations were able to be completed in part after winning the regional prize of $30,000 during the 2017 This Place Matters (The National Trust for Canada) for the Spirit of the Lyric campaign. During that fundraiser they also raised $40,000. Improvement work was also bolstered by a $250,000 donation through the Durward Seafoot Estate.