Cambridge Performing Arts Complex Renamed Dunfield Theatre Cambridge

A $1 million pledge has been made for the exclusive naming rights of the Cambridge Performing Arts Complex.

Drayton Entertainment, operator of the city-owned cultural facility currently under construction, along with the Dunfield Retirement Residence Cambridge, owned by Shiplake Management based in Toronto, today announced an agreement that grants 25-year exclusive naming rights for the live theatre facility.

Beginning today, the venue will be called the Dunfield Theatre Cambridge.

Construction on the new 500-seat theatre facility, located at 46 Grand Ave. S. in the historic neighbourhood of Galt, commenced in September. The facility will operate year-round and include Drayton Entertainment’s programming as well as myriad community events. The inaugural season is expected to launch in early 2013.

“As new residents in this community, we are proud to support the outstanding work of Drayton Entertainment and demonstrate our long-tem commitment to enhancing the economic, cultural, and social milieu of Cambridge with the naming of this glorious new theatre,” said Michael Latner, CEO of Shiplake Management.

“This partnership works on so many levels,” said Alex Mustakas, Artistic Director & CEO of Drayton Entertainment. “We share the same value proposition, including a tremendous respect for our customers, a commitment to surpassing expectations, and perhaps most importantly, a genuine zest for life. We are only just beginning to scratch the surface of the synergies that will be realized in the years to come.”

“Our government is proud to support the Dunfield Theatre Cambridge, which will foster cultural and economic growth in this region,” said the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Member of Parliament for Cambridge, Minister of State for Science and Technology, and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. “This theatre will serve as a dynamic hub for the presentation of Canadian arts and is an excellent example of what can be accomplished when the private sector and all orders of government work together.”

“This is an excellent example of partnerships bringing a community together and fostering economic prosperity,” said John Milloy, MPP for Kitchener Centre. “I congratulate all those who have worked so hard to integrate arts and culture for all generations. This is an exciting milestone for Waterloo Region.”

“Today’s announcement signifies the burgeoning strength of the Arts & Culture Master Plan for the City of Cambridge,” said Mayor Doug Craig. “We are blessed with a cluster of arts and culture that is rapidly evolving and creating a significant impact on the economy and enhancing our quality of life. Arts, culture, and heritage help attract and retain residents, and businesses cite these offerings as an important reason for choosing to locate and stay in the area.”

Under the terms of the 25-year agreement, the Dunfield brand will be incorporated into exterior and interior venue signage, as well as marketing materials including logo and web domain (www.dunfieldtheatrecambridge.com). The Dunfield brand will be included on all tickets as well as elements of Drayton Entertainment’s extensive advertising campaign for the new theatre.

The construction of the Cambridge Performing Arts Complex is part of a broader $22 million agreement that also includes funding for technical upgrades at four other venues operated by Drayton Entertainment, including: St. Jacobs Country Playhouse, Drayton Festival Theatre, Huron Country Playhouse, and King’s Wharf Theatre. The Government of Canada, through the Building Canada Fund – Major Infrastructure Component, committed up to $6 million toward this project. The Province of Ontario and City of Cambridge have also committed $6 million each. Drayton Entertainment, a not-for-profit charitable organization, is responsible for fundraising $4 million as part of its commitment to the project.

The Government of Canada’s contribution comes from the Building Canada Fund – Major Infrastructure Component (MIC), which targets larger, strategic projects of national or regional significance. This program supports major infrastructure projects that contribute to cultural, economic, sport, and tourism development.

This project supports Building Together, Ontario’s long-term infrastructure plan, to build better hospitals, roads and transit, and is part of the McGuinty government’s plan to create and support jobs for Ontarians. Building Together will strengthen Ontario’s economy and help meet the needs of local families. Ontario’s planned investments of more than $35 billion over the next three years will create or preserve over 100,000 jobs on average each year. Since 2003, the Ontario government has invested more than $75 billion in infrastructure.

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