|
   
|
|
|
|
|
NOTE: Some Internet Service Providers will frequently display an older, cached version of this page, instead of the latest version, to load the most current page click here.
The above video courtesy of CKWS Television News For more pictures visit our Facebook For more pictures visit our Facebook album. February 22, 2011 - Benefits for local economy reach six figures from Regent Theatre project The Regent Theatre Picton has ensured local contractors, tradesmen and suppliers are the major beneficiaries of over $500,000 being spent during the Theatre’s current renovations. County tradesmen showed their appreciation at the Prince Edward County Construction Association's annual awards dinner Thursday, February 17 at Waring House, Picton. Recognizing the residual value the over $500,000 renovation is bringing and will bring in the future to Prince Edward County, the Association donated the proceeds of a silent auction to the Regent. Contractor Rob Richmond of Loyalist Contractors and Picton Home Hardware owner Adam Busscher matched the funds raised, for a total of $4,200 going to the Regent. Lewey Larratt-Smith, Board Member of the Regent, thanked the Association for their support and noted "Your generosity and recognition of the role the Regent plays in this community is a wonderful encouragement to all of us working to restore this beloved theatre." "The Regent’s renovations are on time and on budget, due in no small part to the skills and commitment of local tradesmen." said Larratt-Smith. The renovations presented a major challenge for the Regent. Logistics proved to be complicated, because a major grant of $240,000 was only confirmed in mid-December and it required that the project be substantially completed by April, 2011. During this 12-week period architectural drawings were created, building permits obtained and sub-trades tendered. “Local architect Brian Clark of Athol and general contractor Peter Knudsen of Ameliasburgh devised a procedure for awarding subcontracts based on price, ability to supply labour and materials in a timely manner, and a willingness to work with local employees and suppliers.” said Larratt-Smith. Over 85 per cent of the construction costs are flowing directly to enterprises owned and operated by County residents. These enterprises have hired local workers and purchased materials from local suppliers.” she said. The major donors who have made this renovation possible and have thereby produced a significant impact on the local economy include the Parrott Foundation, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, PELA-CFDC and Canada Cultural Spaces. The Regent’s box office will reopen in mid-March, and the theatre itself in April. A grand re-opening weekend with four days of events – many with free admission – is planned for May 5-8, 2011.
Let your Councillor and Mayor know that you support On February 15th, the Board of the Regent Theatre Foundation will be appearing before Prince Edward County’s Council requesting a grant of $60,000 (we reduced this from the original request of $100,000) to support the on-going work of the theatre. The new Council has indicated that it wishes to reduce its costs and is currently reviewing all expenditures. We believe that the friends and supporters of The Regent Theatre Foundation can influence Council’s decision on its upcoming budget. We urge you to:
Contact the Mayor and your ward’s Councillor(s) by email or telephone. In your e-mail you might want to highlight the following points:
This is a good investment for the County. For $4 per County resident, Council can help protect a key heritage building that provides good value entertainment for County residents and provides an attraction that is part of bringing visitors to the County. Please get in touch with Mayor Mertens and your Councillors. You can find their e-mail addresses at:http://www.pecounty.on.ca/government/council Many historic movies have played on The Regent screen since the heritage theatre opened in 1918. But beginning September 2009, moviegoers will be able to view local history segments as they settle into their seats. Short, vignettes on County history will be featured as part of a initiative by the project partners – The Glenwood Cemetery, The Museums of Prince Edward County, The Regent Theatre, and local multimedia company, History Lives Here Inc. – who have developed a series of HISTORY MOMENTS sponsored by local businesses as a pilot community project. The 90 – second vignettes showcase County history including early Loyalist settlement, The Barley Days, the canning era and features on heritage properties such as Glenwood Cemetery, Macaulay Museum and The Regent. The organizations are already partnering in presenting their Gallows and Graveyards historical walking tours of Picton, which have just concluded their second season. "We are telling old stories to new audiences,"says Bob Bird, the Chair of the Glenwood Cemetery Board. "Each of the partners brings unique assets to the project – heritage properties, histo“We are telling old stories to new audiences,” says Bob Bird, the Chair of the Glenwood Cemetery Board. “ Each of the partners brings unique assets to the project – heritage properties, historical collections and wonderful stories to tell. We’ve teamed up with producer Peter Lockyer of History Lives Here Inc. to transform our properties and collections into popular history stories we believe the community will enjoy. Through the HISTORY MOMENTS, our walking tours and other initiatives now in the planning stages, we hope to enhance awareness of the importance of preserving heritage properties for future generations." The HISTORY MOMENTS series will be launched at a premiere at The Regent on Friday, September 25th at 4 PM. Tel: 613-476 – 1636 Email: rbird1@sympatico.ca Derek Cooke, Acting Curator, The Museums of Prince Edward County 613 – 476 – 2148 ext. 426 Email: dcooke@pecounty.on.ca Peter Lockyer, History Lives Here Inc. Tel: 613 – 476 – 3356 Email: plockyer@simpatico.ca |
|
