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Kitimat’s multi-use theatre grant request approved for live streaming equipment

A funding commitment of up to $42,000 was granted from council to the Mount Elizabeth Theatre
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Mount Elizabeth Theatre have been approved for a provision of funding by city council for up to $42,000. (Jacob Lubberts photo)

The Mount Elizabeth Theatre (MET) has been awarded provisional funding for up to $42,000 from the District of Kitimat for the purchases of live streaming equipment.

The total amount needed for the project will cost $110,477.94.

With $35,000 already secured by the MET, Canada’s Cultural Spaces have agreed to match any funding that will be provided to the MET, hence their request to the council for a provision of funding.

“It’s one of those issues where we have to have a dollar amount to secure a dollar amount”, said Brenda Feldhoff, theatre manager of the Mount Elizabeth Theatre.

The MET stated they’ve also applied for five other grants and hope that a few of those go through so the District will only have to help with the remaining amount needed for the live streaming equipment.

“Hopefully (the funds needed) will be small at best, but I’m putting out the worst-case scenario,” said Feldhoff. “My hope is that we won’t need more than $10,000.”

Council confident that the MET will be able to access grants lowering their funding cost down, they were all in favour of the motion to supply the theatre up to $42,000.

“I fully feel that Brenda and her staff will do their due diligence in terms of trying to reduce this amount and I think this is a good move,” said Councillor Terry Marleau talking in favour of the provision of funding to the MET.

“I have total faith that the staff of mount Elizabeth, our grant writer, and our staff who are accessing multiple grants will actually drive the $42,000 much lower, […]and will increase the benefit and the positive effect the Mount Elizabeth Theatre brings to our community and the school population,” said Councillor Rob Goffinet, also speaking in favour of the provision of funding to the MET.

The council also saw benefits for this equipment not only to livestream events such as the Aluminum City Telethon but to Mount Elizabeth Middle Secondary School and other community groups, who would like access to equipment for live streaming.

“Even though people want to view these events in person,[…] I think it’s also somewhat the way of the future and providing those types of opportunities online,” said Marleau.

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jacob.lubberts@northernsentinel.com