The Port Theatre expansion project is well on track and there could be some big news on the horizon.
According to Port Theatre general manager Bruce Halliday, the theatre recently engaged in a “very positive meeting” with a potential naming sponsor for the community performing arts centre.
“The word is that they will be getting back to us very soon,” Halliday said.
The Port Theatre Society is currently seeking $8 million to help pay for the expansion, which would be added onto the side of the theatre.
The proposed project, which is expected to cost $12.6 million, would include a 50-220 performance space, three separate rehearsal spaces and other amenities.
Halliday would not comment on whether the potential sponsor was a local company or a major corporation.
“I won’t speak to that at all,” Halliday said. “Not even a little bit. It will be a terrific sponsor.”
The City of Nanaimo has committed $4.6 million to the project, but only if the Port Theatre Society can successfully raise the $8 million.
“The project is on budget,” Halliday said. “We are very confident that we can raise that in the appropriate timelines.”
Last year the Port Theatre raised $225,000 from private donors and submitted an application for a $2.5-million grant from Heritage Canada.
Halliday said that the project is well on track.
“Design is going well and we are moving into the final phase of design,” Halliday said.
There is no exact time frame on the anticipated sponsorship announcement.
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