The Manitoba Theatre for Young People at The Forks. (HANDOUT)
The federal government is contributing another $250,000 to the Manitoba Theatre for Young People’s (MTYP) Play It Forward capital campaign.
The funding, delivered through Canadian Heritage’s Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, builds on $500,000 committed earlier this year, bringing Ottawa’s total contribution to $750,000.
“These spaces are where imagination and possibility flourish and are celebrated,” said MYTP managing director, Debra Zoerb, in a release. “The improvements that this funding helps us to achieve will ensure that our beloved facility is sustainable and will continue to be a welcoming and inclusive space for our community for decades to come.”
The upgrades include transforming Richardson Hall into a second performance venue — now the Richardson Studio Theatre — and modernizing technical equipment. MTYP will also install new LED lighting, updated HVAC systems, and improved insulation, windows, and doors to increase energy efficiency. Accessibility improvements include renovated washrooms, an assistive-listening system, and a redesigned quiet room for neuro-diverse audience members.
MTYP launched its Play It Forward campaign in April 2024 with a $9-million fundraising goal, much of it dedicated to capital improvements. Renovations are expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
