ANDREW SNOOK This Week One of the most important groundbreaking performances in Centrepointe Theatre’s 22-year history took place on April 6. The ceremony marked the start of the theatre’s expansion project, which will create an additional 250-seat studio theatre. “The expansion makes the theatre economically efficient,” said College Ward Coun. Rick Chiarelli. “With the addition the rehearsals will take place in the black box theatre.” This will leave the current 1000-seat theatre available for additional shows. Rick Chiarelli, John Baird, Minister of Transportation, Infrastructure and ComPhoto by Andrew Snook munities, MPP Bob Chiarelli, and former Nepean mayor Mary Pitt were on hand Local politicians broke ground for an expanto participate in the groundbreaking cer- sion of Centrepointe theatre on April 6. emony. “All three levels of government came “It’s Ben’s dream come true,” Pitt said. together,” Baird said. “It’s too bad he couldn’t be here to join The funding for the $12 million projus.” ect came from all three levels of governMany of the theatre’s long-time volunment. teers and former employees were on hand Part of the funding came from stimuto watch the ceremony. lus money from Canada’s Economic Ac“I am thrilled to see it going forward,” tion Plan. said Barbara Feldman, former general “The key to receiving stimulus money manager of Centrepointe Theatre. is having a project ready to go,” Rick Chi“I’ve been active in the theatre for 15 arelli said. years,” said Joe Murray, a retired volunIt took four attempts by Nepean counteer with the theatre. “Now that it’s being cillors and mayors to obtain the funding funded it’s going to make a huge differfor Centrepointe Theatre’s expansion. ence.” “If something is going to take four Bob Chiarelli said that the project was times to succeed you have to do the first a win-win situation for the province and three,” said Rick Chiarelli. the theatre community. Pitt said that the expansion we will “Most importantly it’s an investment complete former Nepean mayor Ben in our economy and jobs,” said MPP for Franklin’s dream for the theatre. Ottawa West-Nepean, Bob Chiarelli.
Art chosen for new theatre at Centrepointe ANDREW SNOOK This Week The art for the Centrepointe theatre expansion was selected on April 6 by the City of Ottawa’s Public Art Program committee. The walls of the new theatre will be decorated with a unique style of art created by local artists Lynda Cronin and Michèle Provost. Thousands of multi-coloured glass tiles will cover the walls of the corridors and the lobby. They will reflect light and colour while revealing words and phrases. The art is designed to encourage public interaction. Provost said that she felt very fortunate to have her first public art application accepted by the city. She said her inspiration for designing artwork for the theatre stemmed from Centrepointe’s creation and sharing of culture with the public. “We designed a piece that was speaking to that,” Provost said. “We really put ev-
erything we had in this.” She said that the artwork created by Cronin and herself was a daring choice by the city. “Public art sometimes goes unnoticed,” said Provost. “Some of it is discreet and the public doesn’t always realize that its there. This is a flashy piece.” The duo’s artwork was chosen over the designs of 30 other artists that were shortlisted by the committee. Melissa Ramsden, program administrator for the Public Art Program, said that five artists’ works were selected from the 31 proposals for public viewings. All the artists had 3-D models, scheduling and budgets concepts ready before the committee made their decision to allow the public to view and state their opinions. “We had a good turnout,” said Ramsden. “We had about 50 people turn out and give their opinions. The committee then selected the artist based on artistic excellence.” The art will be ready by the theatre’s completion in spring 2011.
STAFF
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3 Nepean This Week - APRIL 15, 2010
Chiarelli breaks ground at Centrepointe Theatre
Choose your favourites in the neighbourhood