Bellamy Foundation wants Town to guarantee $800K loan to finish Strathcona Theatre

Images: Brent Mattice. A recent look at the new theatre with the improvements made to the seating areas. The M.D. of Bonnyville has already said no the Foundation’s request. 

The Clayton Bellamy Foundation for the Arts is hoping the Town of Bonnyville will help them cross the finish line in completing the new fine arts theatre in the community.

With the Strathcona Resources Performing Arts Centre almost done, Clayton Bellamy along with Lise Fielding presented a delegation to Town council, seeking council’s support in guaranteeing $800,000 in a loan from Lakeland Credit Union.

This would give them the necessary funds and cash flow to finish the building, an impressive theatre that has taken multiple years, and many dreams to get to this stage.

But it’s another influx of money that’s required at this point, and the M.D. of Bonnyville has already denied the Foundation’s request at a previous January meeting of guaranteeing the loan, because the loan is “unsecured.”

The total amount of the loan is $1.1 million, with $300,000 spoken for by Northern Lights Public Schools. The Bellamy Foundation is hopeful their CFEP (Community Facility Enhancement Project) grant from the province will be successful to the tune of $500,000.

That combined with revenue streams of sponsorship, a “Friends of the Theatre” wall, and their annual gala, is the path to re-payment. They just need help.

“At this point now, we don’t have either of those answers, and we need to provide funding for the completion of the project,” Bellamy told town council. 

“Without it, we’re going to be dead in the water and GenMec is not going to finish the project without financing, and that’s going to leave us with an unfinished theatre, or re-bid the project to finish. We don’t want to do either of those.” 

Following the second annual Golf & Gala event in September 2024, a total of roughly $1.6 million has been raised from corporate sponsors, municipalities, and government grants.

That was around the original anticipated cost of a new theatre. However, doing abatement’s for lead paint and vermiculite, plus rising inflationary costs, has led to the added price tag of finishing.

“Our struggles are due to companies wanting to ensure the completion of the project prior to committing to a sponsorship,” explained Brent Mattice, board member in a letter to council.

“With the end in site, and sponsorship dollars not yet secured, we now know we will be short the funds to bring this project to fruition.”

The first show for the theatre is already booked for March 21, and approximately 15 shows are slated between 2025 and 2026.

Upon hearing the request last week, Town council discussed the matter more in-camera (closed session to the public), citing financials.

It is anticipated council will make a decision soon, perhaps as soon as Tuesday’s upcoming regular meeting.

“I need more information on what this looks like…what is even our debt servicing load and what would be the monthly payments. For me, I would need to see that full picture,” said Mayor Elisa Brosseau, wanting to know the full terms of the loan.