1.8K 
The Calgary Stampede Foundation is one of eight organizations receiving federal cultural contributions under the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund. In an announcement made Friday by Randy Boissonnault, Edmonton Centre Member of Parliament, the government of Canada has provided $2.38 million to Calgary creative groups, with the majority of that money going towards the re-creation of a demolished church.
Approximately $1.6 million of the haul has been devoted to the Calgary Stampede Foundation, which is currently constructing a new flexible multipurpose space called Walton Hall. The design of the venue is modelled after Westbourne Church, a former 110-year-old Victoria Park place of worship that was badly damaged during the 2013 flood and then demolished last year.
"The Calgary Stampede Foundation is very grateful for the generous grant of $1.6 million from the Government of Canada," said Steve Allan, past board chair of the Calgary Stampede Foundation. "Walton Hall will be a highly accessible and inclusive venue that will be used by artists of all levels. It will provide professional-level facilities and management services to support professional and emerging artists through their rehearsals, performances and other arts presentations."
The new facility will provide affordable and accessible performance and rehearsal spaces, accommodating audiences of up to 150 people. It will also incorporate elements from from the bygone church. Walton Hall takes its name after the real estate and development company, which donated $1.5 million towards the project. It is expected to be completed this summer.
The federal funding will also be used to purchase sound, lighting, projection and production equipment for a 110-seat performance space within the Memorial Park Library, plus a new multimedia screening room for EMMEDIA Gallery & Production Society. Canada's Sports Hall of Fame will acquire new shelving to store its growing collection of historical artifacts, Theatre Calgary will construct a portable stage and enhance sound and lighting for Shakespeare by the Bow productions, The Freed Artist Society will purchase specialized equipment for a mobile storage and performance space, and the audio-video and lighting equipment at Fort Calgary will be upgraded. The In-Definite Arts, Canada's oldest and largest disability arts organization, will use $37,750 to support the development of a feasibility study and master plan as part of a broader assessment of the organization's footprint.
