A new Arts and Entertainment Centre is coming to Milton!
Many artists and arts supporters in Milton are looking forward to the prospect of having an Arts and Entertainment Centre in Milton. Arts Milton has been working with the Town for several years to identify the specific facility requirements for the arts. The Town of Milton Council approved the Arts & Entertainment Centre Program & Business Plan on July 17, 2006. You can find complete information about the Centre on their website.
The proposed Arts & Entertainment Centre will be located on the south east corner of Main and Thompson. It will be a community based centre with a 500 seat theatre, a sizable multi-purpose room suitable for rehearsal space, small theatre performances and conferences, a community art gallery, two art studios for adults and children, and a meeting room. The complex will be built in conjunction with a new Central Library and will serve as the eastern gateway to Downtown Milton.
Funding for the $25.2 million Centre will come from several sources including development agreements, provincial and federal grants, joint venture partnerships and fund-raising. Council approval has been given for the preparation of a "construction ready" concept/site plan for the A & E Centre and Central Library. As of May1, an application has been submitted to the Building Canada Fund -Communities Component Intake 2. The funding request is for a staged construction with the Central Library and the Visual Arts component of the Centre to be completed by March 31, 2011. Under this application, the theatre component will follow with funding from the town. This submission to the Building Canada fund addresses the timelines for "construction-ready" projects to stimulate the economy.
Arts Milton will continue to work closely with the Town of Milton on this exciting project. We welcome your comments! Contact Us to send us your ideas, comments or suggestions about the Arts and Entertainment Centre.