ACES Update for April 2018
Arts Centre for Edson Society Press Release
April 25, 2018
ACES Presents to Living Waters Board
On April 24th, the Arts Centre for Edson Society made a presentation to the Board of Living Waters Catholic Regional School Division.
“The presentation was to outline what our organization has done for the last ten years and to showcase our Vision Plan,” says Peter Taylor, who acts as President of ACES.
ACES mandate is the advocate for the arts and culture community of Edson and for the future development of a new performing arts facility in Edson. The group has been lobbying for this goal since 2007.
ACES made similar presentations to Edson Town Council and Yellowhead County Council in March.
During the presentation, Taylor spoke on behalf of ACES alongside Vice-President Clayton Dearden and Director Rose Joudrey. ACES outlined the main parts of the Vision Plan that include the benefits of a new theatre, the need for a new theatre and the proposed concepts.
“We have three basic concepts,” says Taylor. “The first would see a theatre incorporated into the proposed municipal multiplex; the second would see a theatre attached to a local school; and the third would be a private-public partnership as local businesses could sponsor or rent space within the facility.”
No matter what concept is accepted, ACES proposes to build a 250 to 300 seat theatre with a large stage area, large backstage area, appropriate dressing rooms, and a visual arts gallery in the lobby.
Taylor also mentioned that for a facility like this to take shape, it takes the entire community to be at the table together. This includes both Councils, the business community, other user groups and of course, the school boards. “We recommend that the Living Waters Board speak to both Councils to ensure that the interests of the school’s students and fine arts programs are represented in this new facility,” says Taylor. “ACES recommends that the Board take the initiative to speak with the Councils regarding the project to learn more about the process.”
Board Chair Dana Kentner thanked ACES for their presentation and said any decisions on how to proceed will be made at their next general meeting. Once the Board has decided what they wish to do, they will instruct their Superintendent Jo-Anne Lanctot to implement their decision.
When asked how the presentation went, Taylor said “It went very well. The Board asked some good questions and we look forward to seeing what role they will play in this process in the future.”
If you would like more information on this article please feel free to contact Peter Taylor, President of ACES at 780-725-2006, visit their website, artscentreforedson.ca, or join their Facebook page: facebook.com/artscentreforedson.
