Multimillion-dollar performing arts centre still clouded by cost uncertainty – Penticton Herald

April 16, 2024

A ceremonial groundbreaking for a new performing arts centre in New Brunswick’s capital was held Monday as cost uncertainty still hangs over the multimillion-dollar project.

Indigenous chiefs gave their blessing to a new glass, wood and brick building on the corner of Regent and King streets in downtown Fredericton, with local leaders delivering speeches on how important it was to have a venue dedicated to the arts to replace the more than half century old playhouse a couple of blocks away.

“We’re all dreaming together,” Mayor Kate Rogers told the crowd of about 75 spectators. “We’re doing the math, and it’s literally math on a project like this, and with times of inflation, those numbers just go up and up and up. And the levels of government came together but the board of directors of the playhouse said, ‘we’re going to put some in too. We’re going to lead a campaign, bring in people from the community to be part of this dream with us and bring it to reality.’ And donors, you’ve stepped forward.”

Donors have already contributed more than $5 million to the campaign, but no one will no one will know the true price of the total construction costs until tenders go out in May and the bids are inspected at closing in July, said Tim Yerxa, the Fredericton Playhouse’s executive director.

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