The Stratford Festival is planning a major redevelopment of its Tom Patterson Theatre, and has received a promise of $20-million in capital funding from the province.
The announcement was made Monday in Stratford by Deb Matthews, deputy premier of Ontario, and Eleanor McMahon, minister of tourism culture and sport, at the launch of the festival’s 65th season.
"This most generous support from the province represents an important step forward in the rebuilding of the Tom Patterson Theatre," says Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino.
For 45 years, the Tom Patterson Theatre has been housed in a city-owned building. That building is approaching its limit as a viable structure so the festival is requesting permission from the city to build a new facility on the riverside site.
Before the project proceeds, the festival must secure further funding from the federal government and private donors. The project hinges on ensuring that the current users of the adjoining community centre are accommodated, as well as on approval from the city, which will not have any financial obligation for the new building.
Ideally the festival would like to see construction begin this fall, with the new Tom Patterson Theatre opening in 2019.
"Our dream is to create a jewel on the Avon, a new theatre with all the treasured intimacy of the existing Tom Patterson Theatre but with improvements that will allow us to explore exciting new creative avenues. It would include much-needed facilities for digital media and education activities, as well as space that will allow the Forum and our new-play Laboratory to flourish," says Cimolino. "And, just as important, we would like to enhance our beautiful riverfront for future generations by creating a theatre in a garden setting that will be a gift to the city as we mark Canada’s 150th anniversary."
