Canada, Quebec commit $6.2 million to renovate Montreal’s Centaur Theatre

Montreal’s Centaur Theatre got an infusing in funding on Thursday, from the federal government and Quebec government.

While Ottawa pledged $2.2 million to support their modernization project, Quebec is giving $4 million.

“Centaur Theatre is an iconic Quebec institution that plays an essential role in Montreal’s cultural scene. With this funding, it will be able to completely upgrade its infrastructure,” said a press release from the Canadian government.

The funds will help to: replace ventilation, heating and electrical systems; replace plumbing; modify the main entrance to improve accessibility; raise the height of the roof to accommodate new stage equipment; repair the foundation; replace damaged exterior windows; and bring the sprinklers and emergency exit up to current standards.

Hélène Turp is the executive director at the Centaur Theatre and said that will usher into a new era.

“The future is going to be brilliantly creative, vibrantly dynamic, and fundamentally sustainable,” explained Turp.

“Canadian Heritage’s vital support of this transformative renovation project will pave the way to a brilliantly creative and fundamentally sustainable future for Centaur Theatre. It would not be possible to maintain this magnificent heritage building and protect its vocation as a viable theatrical space without believing in our mission, which is what this support represents. Centaur Theatre is committed to contributing to the vitality of Montréal’s English-speaking community, and we are delighted to have Canadian Heritage’s support in fulfilling that commitment,” said Eda Holmes, Artistic Director, and Hélène Turp, Executive Director, Centaur Theatre in a press release.

The Centaur Theatre is located in a historic building that housed Canada’s first stock exchange in Old Montreal.

It was founded in 1969 by Artistic and Executive Director Maurice Podbrey. He gained worldwide recognition through international collaborations and the world premiere of Balconville, by Montréal playwright David Fennario in 1979.

“Our work is guided by a deep commitment to being a theatre for all Montrealers and all Quebecers. We aspire to be a crossroad for artists and audiences from every facet of this wonderfully, diverse city,” said Turp.

“The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of helping official language minority communities create and maintain strong institutions. It is often through art and creativity that these communities can express and understand themselves,” said the news release.