New arts theatre work to begin this summer; fundraiser Golf & Gala planned in Sept.

In hopes of completing fundraising for a new arts theatre in Bonnyville, the Clayton Bellamy Foundation for the Arts is announcing an event with big names coming to the Lakeland. 

The first annual Celebrity Gala & Golf Fundraiser is happening September 1 and 2 for a night of music and entertainment and then a day of fun out on the links. 

Funds raised from the event will go towards retro-fitting the new performing arts theatre, branded as the Strathcona Performing Arts Centre.

“To get us towards the finish line, we really need the community’s support so that’s where the gala comes in,” Bellamy said. 

“We’ve raised over a million dollars right now towards our goal of $1.7 million to finish the building of this new theatre and the foundation is going to run it when it’s all complete. It’s going to be retro-fitted into the old gym at the BCHS high school.” 

Many corporate, municipal, and provincial partners have stepped up so far to achieve 65 per cent of the fundraising total. 

Bellamy says they have enough to start the work on the 340 seat theatre on June 30. 

The Foundation was successful in securing a CFEP grant for $285,000, as well as money from Town of Bonnyville, City of Cold Lake, Strathcona Resources, Canadian Natural Resources, and the Lakeland Sports and Recreation Association, amongst others.

The cause spearheaded by the Foundation is to fill the void of having a home for performing arts in the wake of the teardown for the Lyle Victor Albert Centre.

It would feature music camps and lessons, theatre productions, concerts, dance competitions, and much more.

The Clayton Bellamy Foundation for the Arts has also entered into an educational partnership with Grant MacEwan University and Portage College which will provide long term planning and sustainability to this project.

Bonnyville town council got an update of their work in a letter last Tuesday.

“It’s something unique. You look at lots of sports and recreation, but fine arts is something for the community, so we’re really excited about that,” said deputy mayor Kayla Blanchette last week on Connected!

The Golf & Gala event will include such performers as Tim Hicks, The Road Hammers, Mike Plume, and Dan Davidson, with Danny Hooper auctioning these artists of to golf with the next day. 

Bellamy hinted that big-time athletes will also be there at the event on Friday, Sept. 1 at the Centennial Centre.

For table sales, contact Brent Mattice at 780-812-0946. For golf registration, contact Tim Graham at 780-812-6500.

Participants can choose to go to either or both events.

The golf will also feature the first $1 million hole-in-one in Alberta.