CFEP grant for $500K approved towards Bellamy Foundation theatre

Left to right: M.D. Reeve Barry Kalinski, MLA Scott Cyr, Clayton Bellamy, Minister Tanya Fir, and Bonnyville Mayor Elisa Brosseau. Image submitted.

A big piece of the fundraising puzzle has been achieved by the Clayton Bellamy Foundation for the Arts.

On Thursday morning, MLA Scott Cyr said that the group’s bid for the Community Facility Enhancement Project provincial grant for $500,000 was successful.

This is a huge chunk of the cash the Bellamy Foundation needed to help get the Strathcona Resources Performing Arts Centre project finished.

“A huge congratulations to Clayton Bellamy and the entire team at the Clayton Bellamy Foundation for the Arts for their dedication in making this project a reality,” Cyr said on Facebook.

Just two days prior, Town of Bonnyville council passed the first of three readings to a loan bylaw that would lend up to $800,000 to the foundation. Now, that loan requirement can be lessened.

The 340 seat theatre, located in the old gymnasium of Bonnyville Centralized High School, just needs the finishing touches, before the first of many already booked shows begin on March 21.

Mike Plume will be the historic first concert that facility holds.