ATCO Performing Arts Centre in need of a new roof
The ATCO Performing Arts Centre is asking for financial help to replace its roof.
A wet spring had staff at the centre scrambling to find anything that could hold water after the roof started leaking in several spots.
Eugene Beaulieu, the facilities committee chair, says those small leaks turned into a flooding situation. They've since been patched but the roof needs to be replaced.
"It's going to cost $600,000 to repair the roof," he said. "We're going to do it right, we're going to put a roof on here that's going to last 50 years so we've applied for a grant of $300,000, but that would be a matching grant so we have to come up with the other $300,000."
Beaulieu says the centre has a rainy-day fund of $80,000 but is looking for donations from alumni and other facility user groups.
"Another $80,000 is going to be raised through crowdfunding through the Alberta government," said Beaulieu.
"They have a fantastic crowdfunding website and we're there so we can get matching funds through that, that's our goal, we think we'll achieve that."
The Youth Singers of Calgary have more than 500 members and have called the ATCO Performing Arts Centre home since 2008.
When the group purchased the building in 2019 they had the roof assessed and the report said it would likely last another decade.
"We fortunately weren't hit hard (in the last big storm that hit Calgary) so we didn't have any major leaks over this,” said Beaulieu.
“But a storm like that could lead to catastrophic kind of conditions here so that is a concern for us."
Kaela Caron is the marketing manager at the centre and says the facility is constantly booked by the singers and other groups.
"The rainstorm that happened this week, if we had camps, it could have severely impacted them,” she said. "We wouldn't have been able to run them or had to find somewhere else."
Beaulieu is hoping to have work start on the new roof in the fall, but that's reliant on the fundraising efforts.
Through the Government of Alberta’s crowdfunding campaign, donations made by Aug. 22 will be matched up to $5,000.
Learn more about the campaign on the province’s crowdfunding website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
2 hospitalized, suspects sought after 'extreme case of road rage' in B.C.: RCMP
Mounties in B.C.'s Lower Mainland are searching for two people allegedly responsible for a road rage incident that sent a couple to hospital with serious injuries, saying the suspects could be in another province.
Why is this village in Quebec facing a 370 per cent property tax hike?
Residents in the small Quebec village of Danford Lake may soon be priced out of their homes, as property valuations and taxes are set to skyrocket.
Calgary's police chief speaks out against Alberta's anticipated photo radar crackdown
Calgary’s police chief has issued a grave warning about the potential impact of further restrictions on photo radar use in Alberta.
Woman who died in B.C. jail cell had asked to be taken to hospital twice, report shows
A woman who died from drug toxicity while in a B.C. jail cell asked to be taken to hospital twice in the hours after she was taken into custody in a case the province's police watchdog says again raises concerns over the treatment of intoxicated prisoners.
James Earl Jones, acclaimed actor and voice of Darth Vader, dies at 93
James Earl Jones, who overcame racial prejudice and a severe stutter to become a celebrated icon of stage and screen — eventually lending his deep, commanding voice to CNN, 'The Lion King' and Darth Vader — has died. He was 93.
Romeo Dallaire now recovered from severe infection: CTV News Exclusive
Romeo Dallaire is ready to return to public life again this fall after a serious health scare forced the retired lieutenant-general to postpone his cross-country book tour in March.
White Stripes sue Donald Trump over use of 'Seven Nation Army' riff in social media post
The White Stripes sued former U.S. president Donald Trump on Monday in a case that alleges he used their hit song 'Seven Nation Army' without permission in a video posted to social media.
Alberta protesters get 6 1/2-year sentences for roles in Coutts border blockade
One of two men sentenced Monday to 6 1/2 years for firearms violations and mischief at the border blockade at Coutts, Alta., says the time he has already spent behind bars has changed him and his "solemn weapon” is now love.
'You can't miss Luke Skywalker': Mark Hamill spotted filming in Manitoba town
Star Wars icon Mark Hamill rode through the streets of Stonewall, Man. last month filming scenes atop what looked to be an Army vehicle for the upcoming film adaptation of Stephen King's "The Long Walk."