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‘Critical’ upgrades project to Penticton’s Cleland Theatre to be revisited by council

The total cost of the upgrade project is expected to cost $820,000
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Equipment improvements to Penticton’s Cleland Theatre could be on their way sooner than later. (Submitted)

Penticton’s Cleland Theatre could be in for some major equipment upgrades that would cost a total of over $800,000.

Council will be prompted on Tuesday (March 15) to decide whether city staff should request a $410,000 grant from the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund to help mitigate the potential costs of the project.

Several recommendations for improvements to the local theatre were first presented to the city in 2016.

Since then, the facility has faced a number of equipment failures without any upgrades, according to the report that will be presented to Penticton city council on Tuesday.

“The majority of the audio equipment is now over 30 years old and is not adequate in quality or size for touring groups,” it reads.

“Most recently, we have experienced three consecutive audio equipment failures in 2022 that have affected booked shows.”

The upgrade project is divided into three phases, coming in at a total price tag of $820,000.

• Carpentry and electrical

• Audio equipment upgrades

• Lighting upgrades

Up to 50 per cent of the project’s cost is eligible for the aforementioned fund, according to the city’s recreation, arts and culture team.

Upgrades to Cleland Theatre are described as “critical” in the city’s report.

“Should the City of Penticton be successful with the grant funding request of $410,000, the full project cost will be covered,” it adds.

The potential project will be discussed at Penticton’s regular council meeting on Tuesday, starting at 1 p.m.

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@lgllockhart
logan.lockhart@pentictonwesternnews.com

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