A new roof for the Lester Centre of the Arts has been completed.
A joint press release by the City of Prince Rupert and Prince Rupert Port Authority lauded the structural upgrade as ensuring "the long-term survival of the municipally-owned landmark."
The latest work included installing new metal roofing, gutters, drains, and flashing and concludes 10 years of work that has now completely replaced the centre's original 1987 roof.
"This is the latest in a series of improvement projects supported by PRPA to revitalize this key City and community asset from top to bottom," the press release stated. "PRPA committed over $317,540 to this project, bringing PRPA's total contributions towards upgrading the Lester Centre to more than $1 million."
The total contract was worth $716,000. The City paid its more than 50 per cent share primarily through grants supplemented by reserves and surplus, said Veronika Stewart, the city's communications manager.
“The stage of the Lester Centre is where so many Rupertites get their first opportunity at artistic expression and performance," said Mayor Herb Pond.
"Many of them become regular performers and even move on to bigger stages and audiences. This facility was a generational investment from our predecessors at the City, and we are proud to contribute to its lasting legacy through 50 per cnet funding of this roof project.”
The port authority was also involved in funding the phase one work in the early- to mid-2010s to the tune of $74,590. It also contributed, through its Community Investment fund, $302,500 for the recently replaced seats; $103,000 for a sound system upgrade; 114,500 for stage lighting; and $148,160 for stage floor and lobby carpet replacement.
“PRPA prides itself on always being ready to contribute to community projects that make a difference to the lives of local residents," said Shaun Stevenson, PRPA president and CEO.
"Our investments in upgrading and maintaining this municipal facility will have a lasting impact on current and future generations of community members as they share in the Lester Centre’s history, whether performing on stage, volunteering behind the scenes, or being entertained in the audience.”
The first performance under the new roof will be Charles Hays Secondary School's production of the muscial Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat running Dec. 5, 6 and 7.
