News (see all news)
Arts centre updates online
Dec. 21, 2009
Boosters of the new performing arts centre in St. Catharines can now join a virtual community, where they can read updates about the project, get the latest news, and lobby politicians.
A feature of the new website, Inspire Niagara, is a list of phone numbers and e-mail addresses for local officials to "make easy access to councillors," said Jennifer Wallace, a member of the Niagara Centre for the Arts Task Force.
Wallace and Elizabeth Fritshaw, events and communication co-ordinator for the St. Catharines Downtown Association, unveiled the site to St. Catharines councillors at this week's city council meeting.
Visitors to the site can find out about the progress of the project, read background reports and sign up to receive the project's newsletter to be launched in early 2010, said Fritshaw.
By joining Inspire Niagara, "you can be part of the inspiration," said Wallace.
The site design was donated by Alex Sampson, said Fritshaw, and the content is being written and managed by volunteers.
The site is meant to answer questions people might have about the project and to allow them to show their support, said Fritshaw.
The arts centre is part of a $101-million project that includes Brock University's new Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts to be built in downtown St. Catharines. The school will be located in the former Canada Hair Cloth building in the low level parking lot, while the centre for the arts will be located on St. Paul Street at the corner of Carlisle, with connecting links between the two.
The project includes five performances spaces, classrooms, offices, rehearsal space, studios and offices.
Fritshaw said the Inspire team is a group of people eager to see the project come to fruition. Members are from organizations and businesses who support the arts, she said, who believe the project has the ability to nourish and showcase local talent and be a cornerstone to revitalize downtown.
Please see story in The St. Catharines Standard by M. Bergsma at: