CASA is the realization of a 20-year dream, shared by many in the Lethbridge arts community, to expand or replace the Bowman Arts Centre and provide a home for the arts in one central location.
Funding for this $20.69 million project includes $6 million from the Building Canada Fund – Communities Component (with $3 million provided by both the Federal Government and Alberta Transportation under BCF-CC), $14.4 million from the provincial Municipal Sustainability Initiative (administered by Alberta Municipal Affairs) and $200,000 from the City of Lethbridge.
“I am very pleased to participate in today’s celebration, which will usher in new opportunities for Lethbridge and southern Alberta’s artistic community,” said Jim Hillyer, Member of Parliament for Lethbridge, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification. “Worthwhile projects such as this create jobs and encourage economic growth, while also providing Canadians with valuable cultural spaces.”
“We’re pleased to support local priorities and build communities through the Municipal Sustainability Initiative,” said Greg Weadick, Associate Minister of Alberta Municipal Affairs and MLA for Lethbridge-West. “Facilities like CASA bring together families and neighbours while they enrich lives, entertain and create more vibrant economies.”
CASA will allow for students of all ages to learn and explore many different mediums of art, drama, music, dance, yoga and more. It will become home to many local groups and events.
The official grand opening will begin at 11 a.m. with remarks by federal and provincial government elected officials, followed by remarks from Lethbridge Mayor Rajko Dodic and arts community representatives. Following the program, the new facility will be opened to the community to enjoy and explore. Tours are available and all studio spaces will be open until 10 p.m.
“We’re pleased to support local priorities and build communities through the Municipal Sustainability Initiative,” said Greg Weadick, Associate Minister of Alberta Municipal Affairs and MLA for Lethbridge-West. “Facilities like CASA bring together families and neighbours while they enrich lives, entertain and create more vibrant economies.”
CASA will allow for students of all ages to learn and explore many different mediums of art, drama, music, dance, yoga and more. It will become home to many local groups and events.
The official grand opening will begin at 11 a.m. with remarks by federal and provincial government elected officials, followed by remarks from Lethbridge Mayor Rajko Dodic and arts community representatives. Following the program, the new facility will be opened to the community to enjoy and explore. Tours are available and all studio spaces will be open until 10 p.m.
For the remainder of the week, special events will be taking place in the evenings, with a Party On the Plaza from noon until 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 18. This community festival is free and will include many local musicians and entertainers, from the Lethbridge Community Taiko Association to the U of L Conservatory of Music. Other events during the week include dance, theatre, film, the inaugural CASA art exhibit opening and the music of Oscar Lopez.
“Our local arts community has been waiting for this day for a long time. For decades to come, this new arts facility will be a significant cultural and economic asset for downtown Lethbridge and for the entire community,” said Mayor Dodic.
Along with the Allied Arts Council, who will be overseeing the facility, the University of Lethbridge are also partners with their Music Conservatory, classes for the community, moving to this facility.
“We are extremely proud of U of L Music Conservatory Director Peggy Mezei and her team, and their achievements as they move in to CASA’s bright and beautiful space,” said Dr. Mike Mahon, the U of L’s President and Vice-Chancellor. “Our commitment to the community takes on many forms, and being such an integral part of the CASA group is something we are very pleased to be a part of. This new facility will be of great benefit to our present and future Conservatory students, and also to the many members of the arts and culture community who use the facility to express their own creativity.”
The Rotary Clubs of Lethbridge have also provided support to the project which has led to the naming of the Rotary Plaza, the location of the festivities on Saturday May 18th. "The Rotary Clubs of Lethbridge are pleased to provide support to the arts community and the City of Lethbridge for CASA. Our contribution is for the Rotary Patio connected to CASA. We witnessed the success of the Rotary Water Fountain in Galt Gardens, and are happy with the additional development of the Downtown area with CASA”, says Stephen Graham, President Rotary Club of Lethbridge.
CASA will be open to the public 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and 10 a.m. – 7 pm. on Sundays. Classes and workshops, including the opportunity to try “sampler” classes for a nominal fee, will begin the week of May 20.
Information on Grand Opening Week events as well as information on classes, workshops, facility rentals and the University of Lethbridge Music Conservatory can be found at the CASA website www.casalethbridge.ca or by visiting the Allied Arts Council office at 318 - 7 St South, Lethbridge.
Along with the Allied Arts Council, who will be overseeing the facility, the University of Lethbridge are also partners with their Music Conservatory, classes for the community, moving to this facility.
“We are extremely proud of U of L Music Conservatory Director Peggy Mezei and her team, and their achievements as they move in to CASA’s bright and beautiful space,” said Dr. Mike Mahon, the U of L’s President and Vice-Chancellor. “Our commitment to the community takes on many forms, and being such an integral part of the CASA group is something we are very pleased to be a part of. This new facility will be of great benefit to our present and future Conservatory students, and also to the many members of the arts and culture community who use the facility to express their own creativity.”
The Rotary Clubs of Lethbridge have also provided support to the project which has led to the naming of the Rotary Plaza, the location of the festivities on Saturday May 18th. "The Rotary Clubs of Lethbridge are pleased to provide support to the arts community and the City of Lethbridge for CASA. Our contribution is for the Rotary Patio connected to CASA. We witnessed the success of the Rotary Water Fountain in Galt Gardens, and are happy with the additional development of the Downtown area with CASA”, says Stephen Graham, President Rotary Club of Lethbridge.
CASA will be open to the public 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and 10 a.m. – 7 pm. on Sundays. Classes and workshops, including the opportunity to try “sampler” classes for a nominal fee, will begin the week of May 20.
Information on Grand Opening Week events as well as information on classes, workshops, facility rentals and the University of Lethbridge Music Conservatory can be found at the CASA website www.casalethbridge.ca or by visiting the Allied Arts Council office at 318 - 7 St South, Lethbridge.
I am very disappointed in this. $21 Million is an awful lot to spend on something that only a very small amount of the population will use. Rather this money should have been spent on building a second bridge to connect the West side to the rest of Lethbridge. The West side of Lethbridge is continuing to grow at a rapid rate and as soon as there is an accident on Whoop up drive which is the bridge linking the two parts of the city, highway three gets clogged up hence making a 10 minute commute take up to 1.5 hours. This is not only a problem for commuters but also for emergency services.
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