BONNYVILLE – It takes a village to build a theatre. Or rather a handful of municipalities, local business, community volunteers and local school divisions.
Clayton Bellamy, of the Bellamy Foundation for the Arts, and Michael Topylki, secretary-treasurer for the foundation, pitched a partnership between the foundation and Lakeland Catholic School Division (LCSD) on Sept. 20.
The partnership would help the foundation reach its $2.4 million goal to construct a state-of-the-art community theatre located in the former gymnasium of Bonnyville Centralized High School, a school operated by Northern Lights Public Schools.
With construction on the project having begun following the groundbreaking ceremony on Sept. 22, Bellamy informed Lakeland Catholic Board of Trustees that the foundation still has about another $1 million to raise for Phase 1 of the build.
“We would love to talk about the opportunity for the Catholic school board to make a donation to the foundation to help in completing with this project, similar to the [Walsh] Football Field,” expressed Bellamy.
Topylki suggested that in exchange for a financial contribution to either the build itself or operational costs of the theatre, a partnership could be reached that would allow the school division and its students to book times to utilize the facility during school hours, after school hours or weekends.
The construction of the project is anticipated to take about eight months for the first phase and should be operational by next fall, barring any holdbacks, heard trustees.
“We're digging in all corners and looking to be able to complete this and bring something new and exciting to the community,” Bellamy stated.
“It’s most important for our kids to have an outlet for the arts. So, if we requested $250,000 to go towards the building or operation of the theater in exchange for usage, that is a starting point for us.”
Trustees also heard that the foundation is seeking additional provincial funding as well as community support to reach its financial goals for the project.
Speaking to the benefits for youth, Bellamy shared partnerships with Portage College and MacEwan University will bring unique learning opportunities for students.
“MacEwan is going to be sending faculty to do weekend programming and after school programming... as well as wanting us to send our kids in the Lakeland to MacEwan to take part in their plays and performances,” said Bellamy.
“We can inspire kids who possibly don't have an outlet for the arts in this area to show them that there's avenues for them to pursue even if they're not a singer or a dancer... There are also avenues for sound production and lighting.”
Board Chair Mary Anne Penner thanked the pair for their presentation. “We will take it under discussion and let you know at a future date,” she said.
