CANADA, B.C. PARTNER ON DAWSON CREEK CULTURAL CENTRE

DAWSON CREEK – Residents of Dawson Creek will benefit from joint federal-provincial funding of $6.3 million to create the Calvin Kruk Centre for the Arts, Prince George-Peace River MP Jay Hill and Peace River South MLA Blair Lekstrom announced today.

“After working with the late Calvin Kruk to acquire the building from the federal government, it is personally rewarding to see his vision for a community arts centre take another step forward,” said Hill. “This facility will stimulate both the economy and the cultural life of the south Peace.”

“The investment that the federal and provincial governments are making in our communities goes further than creating jobs and stimulating economies,” said Lekstrom. “The funding will provide opportunities for residents and visitors to celebrate their local arts and culture and embrace diversity in our city, province and country. It could not have come at a better time as the aging Kiwanis Performing Arts Centre is in need of a new home. This new funding will help create that new home.”

The Calvin Kruk Centre for the Arts will be housed in the historic post office/government building in downtown Dawson Creek. The 42,000 sq. ft. heritage building will be converted into a community and cultural centre, and will feature a multi-purpose theatre space, meeting rooms, dance and textile studios and administrative offices.

The governments of Canada and British Columbia will each invest up to $3.2 million in the project. The City of Dawson Creek will be responsible for the balance of the remaining project costs.

“The City of Dawson Creek is in need of a new community gathering place and performing arts centre and I am thankful to both the provincial and federal governments for investing in the people of this region. This project would not be possible without their commitment,” said Dawson Creek Mayor Mike Bernier. “This will promote further investment and help create employment, and I am honoured to be a part of realizing the vision of my late friend and former colleague, Calvin Kruk.”

This project is another example of the commitment of the governments of Canada and British Columbia to strengthen the B.C. economy by reducing red tape, creating jobs, and getting shovels in the ground for the 2009 and 2010 construction seasons.

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Contact:

Barb Gale

Office of the Honourable Jay Hill

Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Member of Parliament for

Prince George—Peace River

250 561-7922

Chris Day

Press Secretary

Office of Canada’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure
613 991-0700

Infrastructure Canada

613 948-1148

Jeff Knight

Public Affairs Bureau

Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure

250 356-7707




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