By Keith Tomasek, December 18, 2017

– Correction: A previous version of this stated the budget at $68 Million –

The Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage announced federal funding of $20 million for the construction of the new Tom Patterson Theatre Centre at the Stratford Festival in Stratford, Ontario.

The Stratford Festival is an internationally recognized leader in theatre production and has a long history of staging world-class productions that attract visitors from around the world.

Built in 1906, the current Tom Patterson Theatre is reaching the end of its usable life and is unable to withstand renovations.

The existing theatre will be replaced with a new 75,000 square foot multi-purpose centre. This centre will include a new Tom Patterson Theatre with increased seating capacity, a digital media studio, an expanded arts research laboratory, and an education and exhibition classroom.

The new building features a lengthy glass facade looking towards the toward the majestic Avon River.

“We are extremely grateful for this generous support from the governments of Canada and Ontario and are proud to live in a country in which our governments stand behind our efforts not only to be successful today but also to make the bold decisions necessary to develop the audiences and artists of the future,” said Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino in a release issued by the Festival.

The announcement was made in Stratford, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities.

The Government of Ontario is also contributing up to $20 million in funding for the new Centre and the remainder of the project costs, amounting to over $28 million, will be raised by the Stratford Festival through fundraising efforts.