Building Lethbridge's Cultural Corridor: The Performing Arts Theatre (Part 1)

Since 2007 the Allied Arts Council and the arts community of Lethbridge have collaborated on the Arts Re:Building Together initiative, which addresses concerns regarding the City’s arts facilities and proposed the concept of a “Cultural Corridor” for Lethbridge. In this campaign three buildings were identified as needing urgent care or replacement. First up was a renovation and expansion to the Southern Alberta Art Gallery, which was completed in September 2010; and in process now is a new Community Arts Centre to replace the Bowman Arts Centre, which is scheduled to break ground this spring. The final piece of the puzzle is a new Performing Arts Theatre, which would provide increased performing arts capacity in the City of Lethbridge. Is Lethbridge ready for a new Performing Arts Theatre? What social & economic benefits will a completed Cultural Corridor bring to our community? Why is Lethbridge in need of increased performing arts capacity? What background work and research have been done thus far? Where will the funding come for this project? Speaker: Ian Randell and Barbara Lacey Members of Lethbridge’s Performing Arts Theatre Steering Committee Ian Randell is a retired art teacher and administrator with the local Holy Spirit school district. He now maintains a studio in downtown Lethbridge where he relates his affinity and love for the prairies and mountains through his landscape paintings in oils, acrylics and water media while continuing to teach on a casual basis. Ian is also a musician and performs with the Community Gold Band and the Lethbridge Big Band. He has been on the board of the Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge for the past six years including two years as president. Ian currently serves as Chair of the City of Lethbridge Performing Arts Theatre Steering Committee. Barbara Lacey was born & raised in Britain and did her medical training in London, England. In 1968, she and her husband, Ronald and their two small children immigrated to Lethbridge where Barbara and Ronald practiced medicine. Barbara was a family physician and then was appointed medical officer of health for the City of Lethbridge. After her retirement in 1995, she was elected as city alderman and served for 15 years. She has always been an avid supporter of performing arts and over the years has attended many performances in Lethbridge. While on city council, she served on the Performing Arts Theatre Steering Committee, and today she continues to support the committee as a community member.