Community Outreach: Prince Rupert
Prince Rupert Port Investment Helps City Performing Arts Facility
The Lester Centre of the Arts, Prince Rupert’s premiere performing arts venue, celebrated its 30th anniversary earlier this month at a gala event featuring new theatrical lighting and stage draperies purchased through a contribution from the Port of Prince Rupert’s Community Investment Fund.
Owned by the City of Prince Rupert and operated by the Lester Centre Society, the 700-seat Lester Centre Centre has hosted thousands performers and 1.5 million patrons since its opening in 1987.
"Having decent lighting in a theatre is one of our basic needs," said Crystal Lorette, the centre’s general manager. "The old theatre lighting system, while state-of-the-art when installed in 1986, was in dire need of replacement. With the addition of modern LED equipment, we can improve our ability to showcase local artists and productions, as well as continue to attract international talent with our reputation for excellence."
In 2013, the Lester Centre Society board of directors made the decision to collect two dollars from each ticket sold as a means of building its Capital Investment Fund and enabling its "Lighting the Way" project. Through its Community Investment Fund, the Port of Prince Rupert contributed $114,500 to support the improvement project, which carried a total cost of $229,000.
This is not the first time the port has responded to needs of the Lester Centre. Earlier contributions include $150,000 in 2011 for stage and theater flooring, and $125,000 in 2015 for roof replacement.
"It would be hard to find a resident of Prince Rupert or any of our outlying communities that has not benefited from the Lester Centre for the Arts since it was established almost 30 years ago," said Port Authority President Don Krusel. "As a primary venue to participate in municipal affairs, enjoy the arts or actually get on stage and perform, this facility is invaluable to the thriving communities of BC’s North Coast. PRPA is pleased to support the Lester Centre Society in ensuring the Centre will be here to fulfill this role for another 30 years."