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Setting the Stage for Opening Night - October 6, 2006 |
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Construction for the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts has officially begun |
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RICHMOND HILL - A fanfare of trumpets sounded. A choir sang. A flautist's melody filled the air. An opera singer's soprano pitch touched the audience. Popular singer, tenor, and actor Michael Burgess made a surprise guest appearance. This curious and rare spectacle occurred on Yonge Street in Downtown Richmond Hill yesterday marking the groundbreaking ceremony of the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts.
"After months of preparation, we are thrilled that the construction of the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts is moving forward," said Mayor William F. Bell. "In two years' time, this site will be bustling with artists, musicians and residents, injecting life into the revitalized downtown."
When it is ready in mid-2008, it will be the heart of the new downtown and serve residents as a public space to accommodate a wide variety of functions, programming and activities.
"It is exciting that the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts is on its way to becoming a reality," said Arnie Warner, Theatre Project Steering Committee Chair. "This groundbreaking ceremony is the Centre s first step to Opening Night."
The ceremony kicked off "Raise The Curtain," the fundraising campaign for the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts. Mayor Bell, on behalf of the Members of Council, also announced the $1 million contribution to the campaign by Fred DeGasperis of Metrus Development Inc. and his role as Co-Chair of "Raise The Curtain." The goal is to raise $7 million before the Centre opens.
"It's going to be a great project," said Fred DeGasperis. "And I'm proud to be involved."
The event also saw the launch of the first images of the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts being broadcast online via a new Webcam. The Webcam which is located across the street from the construction site, at St. Mary Immaculate Roman Church, will show "live" images of the construction as it progresses. The images will be broadcast on the Town's Website 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Also being added to the Town's Website (www.richmondhill.ca) is a new Web journal, called Theatre Talk. It will be regularly updated by the Theatre Manager with the very latest news about the project.
Michael Burgess, famous Canadian theatrical star said, "I am pleased to be here today in support of this project because I believe that the arts need and deserve our attention and support." It is expected that when the curtain rises in 2008, musicians and artists of similar distinction to him will be eager to perform at the Centre.
Soon after the ceremony, protective fencing otherwise referred to as hoarding, will be installed around the perimeter of the site, prior to construction getting underway. "Once installed local school children will be invited to participate in the project by painting their visions for the theatre," said Theatre Manager, Michael Grit.
For the entire press release refer to the following PDF:
settingthestage.pdf |
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