Edmonton’s Theatre Network is moving closer to raising the curtain on a new performance space on 124 Street, thanks to a grant from the federal government.
The $330,270 grant, which was announced Friday morning by Edmonton Centre MP Randy Boissonnault, comes from the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund. It will support the architectural design and engineering phase of construction for a new theatre on the old Roxy Theatre site in Westmount.
The original 200-seat Roxy Theatre, which opened in 1938, was destroyed by fire three years ago. Since then, Theatre Network has been operating out of borrowed space in Old Strathcona.
“This is a special moment for Theatre Network,” said artistic director Bradley Moss in a statement Friday. “Now we get to roll up our sleeves and work with Group 2 Architects on our new facility — this is a huge boost of confidence for Theatre Network as we look to be back on 124 Street in Edmonton.”
The City of Edmonton has also pledged $208,000 to the design phase.
“The new Roxy Theatre will be a welcome addition to our city’s downtown, helping to make the 124 Street area an even more attractive destination,” said Mayor Don Iveson in a Friday press release. “I thank the Government of Canada for their generous investment in this pillar of Edmonton’s arts community.”
