Manitoba Theatre for Young People to upgrade facility at The Forks with $1.3M in federal funds

The Manitoba Theatre for Young People will upgrade its home at The Forks in Winnipeg to become more accessible and environmentally friendly, thanks to a $1.3-million investment from the federal government announced on Tuesday.

The theatre has produced and offered professional theatre shows for children and families since 1982, but the needs of the building that the organization has lived in since 1999 have evolved, according to Debra Zoerb, the organization's managing director.

"For instance, the quiet room currently has three steps that you have to go up to get to it, so some of it is some straightforward acknowledgement of things that just don't work anymore, even though they were intended to be accessible," she said at a Tuesday afternoon news conference.

The infrastructure upgrades will create barrier-free access to backstage and studio spaces and more accessible public washrooms, a news release says. The building's quiet room will also be redeveloped to ensure accessibility for neuro-diverse children and their families.

Work on the changes is expected to begin next June and will take about a year to complete, Zoerb said.

MTYP board chair Suzanne Munroe says the upgrades will ensure true accessibility for the about 90,000 Manitobans the theatre reaches each year through its shows, drama workshops, arts facility rentals and the 1,600 children and teens who participate in its educational programs.

"A barrier-free facility means that everyone can participate," Munroe said during the news conference.

"When our facility opened at The Forks over 20 years ago, it was considered a leader in accessible design. Since then, standards and understandings of accessibility have evolved, and we know that our facility needs to continue to evolve."

New windows, roofing and an HVAC system are also expected to reduce the building's energy consumption by an estimated 81 per cent and its greenhouse gas emission by 288 tonnes annually, according to Munroe.

The $1.3 million is provided by Infrastructure Canada's Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program, which works to increase energy efficiency while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Dan Vandal, a federal minister and Winnipeg member of Parliament, says the theatre is vital for Winnipeggers and the infrastructure funds are an investment in the city's future.

"In the heart of The Forks, this space has grown to become one of the most respected professional theatre companies in all of Canada and a staple of Manitoba's theatre scene," he said at the news conference.

"These investments make a real difference in the lives of our communities, and cultural infrastructure plays a key role in developing dynamic, connected and prosperous communities."

Vandal also added that his son performed at the theatre several years ago.

"I can attest that this is a facility that can change lives."