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Image from Niagara this Week
The Town of Fort Erie and the District School Board of Niagara (DSBN) reached a deal on February 17, 2015, regarding a proposal for an arts theatre to be included in the new Greater Fort Erie Secondary School. The town and school board have each pledged $500,000 towards the completion of the theatre, which has an estimated price tag of $3 million. This represents a great investment for the community in Fort Erie and will be beneficial for the area as a whole, ultimately impacting the Niagara real estate market.
Finding what works for the community
The DSBN's original request included a $700,000 shared library in addition to the arts theatre. The request for the library was ultimately denied, as there are several libraries in the Town of Fort Erie, creating the concern that an additional library would cause one of the more established libraries to close. The Town of Fort Erie and the DSBN eventually reached a deal on February 17 that will see an arts theatre built in the town's new secondary school. The 500-seat theatre is expected to be completed in time for the school to open in September 2017.
Establishing a shared budget
The deal will see the DSBN and the town share construction costs, with the town council pledging $500,000 towards the theatre. The school board will also contribute $500,000, with fundraising and public and private grants expected to cover the remaining $2 million.
The town's contribution will be spread out over three years, with the first installment coming from the 2014 budget surplus. The additional contributions will be paid from budget surpluses generated over 2015 and 2016. The school board is responsible for covering costs that exceed the $3 million value.
Development in Niagara for the future
The construction of the Fort Erie arts theatre will have positive implications for the Town of Fort Erie. It represents a great investment for the future of the community and will benefit future generations. The town recognizes the need to develop attractions in the commercial sector to attract families and businesses to the area. Establishing key infrastructures in the area will encourage businesses to invest in Niagara.
Read more
To learn more about the deal between the Town of Fort Erie and the DSBN, head over to Niagara this Week to read Fort Erie approves $3 million arts centre.
