The Memorial Hall in Blyth is the subject of a new partnership agreement.
The Township of North Huron Council has signed a lease agreement with Blyth Cultural Initiative 14/19 Inc. for the operation and maintenance of the Memorial Hall.
The 20-year term will give care and control of the facility to 14/19 Inc. for day-to-day operations, with the Township maintaining responsibility for capital projects and major upgrades.
The lease has been endorsed by Blyth Memorial Community Hall stakeholders which include the Blyth Centre for the Arts, the Blyth Legion Branch 420, and the Legion Ladies Auxiliary.
Construction of a $3.8-million renovation on Memorial Hall will begin this September. The revitalized facility is expected to re-open May 20, 2017 in time for the 2017 Blyth Festival Season.
The Blyth Centre for the Arts will continue to enjoy exclusive use of the facility during their season, which extends from the third Monday in May to the third Tuesday in September.
"The Board of Directors of 14/19 Inc. are excited that Phase I of our plan to revitalize the community through arts and culture is imminent," says Director of Operations Karen Stewart. "Creating this new partnership with North Huron assists us in realizing our goals to build sustainability through increased rentals and revenue, increase our community’s knowledge of and appreciation for cross-disciplinary arts forms, create employment for a manager to market the facility, invite tourism activity, and advance community pride."
North Huron Reeve Neil Vincent says, "This arrangement will help to expand the usage of the facility and increase revenues, while allowing the Township to divert former operating funds toward long term capital costs. This model will ensure sustainability for this important community asset, while maintaining its original significance as a living cenotaph."
