According to a press release, Battlefords Community Players is embarking on a repair and construction project this summer, thanks to the generosity and support of local businesses who have recently entered into partnership agreements with the 60-year old local community theatre club.
These business partners were invited to an informal reception hosted by BCP volunteers May 2 to give recognition to their new partners. Approximately 40 people attended the reception. The event took place at a former church on 26th Street and 1st Avenue in Battleford that BCP bought last spring as a home base for rehearsals, meetings, workshops and small performances.
The partnerships were initiated through an artsVest grant proposal for which BCP was pre-approved last fall. BCP was required to engage in mutually beneficial partnerships with local businesses, and to find in-kind or cash sponsorships from businesses in order to receive the matching grant through artsVest, according to the release.
BCP's proposal involved a community-building approach to conduct badly needed repairs to the main building as well as to construct an accessory building for stage sets.
"The positive response from our local business community has been overwhelming," commented Norma Klassen, BCP's co-ordinator for artsVest and business partnerships.
Partners to date include: Floyd Andersen of Andersen Construction; BATC CDC; Everet Bjerkness of Battlefords Concrete; Battlefords and District Co-operative Ltd; Waylon Burton of Burton Aggregates Ltd and Burton Concrete Ltd; Morley and Denise Dickson of Crandleberry's; Doreen Wells and Debbie Rafuse of Creative Interiors by the Designer Gals; Doug Ebach of Doug's Paints; Randall Cote of Extreme Evestrough Ltd; Kevin Driedger of Fortress Windows and Doors Ltd; Ryan Mow of G and C Asphalt Ltd; Dave Gloe of Home Hardware Building Centre, Battleford; Pat and Dion Belrose of J and D Roofing; Wilbert Lamb of Lambs Door Service; L and M Wood Products (2011) Ltd, Glaslyn; Loraas Environmental Services Ltd; Judy Bishop; Rob Squair of L7 Electric Inc.; Judy Dwinnel of Northern Nurseries; Oscar Navarro; Edwin Smockum of Over the Edge Holdings Ltd; Jaden Jamieson of Prairie Edge Landscapes; Ray Lessard of Sanberg Collision; Fred Mahon of Sanburn Construction Ltd; Territorial Youth Services; and Jim Bartop of Twin River Concrete.
"To date we have made agreements with 25 business partners and Territorial Youth Services. We have far exceeded our goal of matching the $15,000 grant for which we have been preapproved through artsVest. In total we have agreements with businesses for in-kind construction work and cash sponsorships valued at well over $70,000 for this building project. We will be able to do so much more with the building than we had originally anticipated."
Klassen said BCP sees this project as, "an effective catalyst for developing ongoing relationships which will benefit all our partners as well as the community as a whole.
"Our project will hopefully provide an enriching learning experience for the Territorial Youth Services participants. They will have the opportunity of learning valuable trade-related skills, of developing an appreciation for co-operative community endeavours, and of developing a feeling of pride and satisfaction in the work they have completed. Business partners will receive public recognition as well as advertising and theatre tickets, depending on their level of sponsorship," the press release states. "BCP will not only get construction work accomplished, but will also gain potential theatre goers and volunteers. All partners will gain increased networking opportunities and the satisfaction of being part of a positive community building venture."
ArtsVestis a national incentive to stimulate local business investment in the arts.It was developed by Business for the Arts, a Canadian association of business leaders.In Saskatchewan artsVestTM is delivered with funding from Canadian Heritage and the Government of Saskatchewan's Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport with support from SaskCulture Inc.
In 2011-12, Saskatchewan's first year with this national program, a total of $350,000 in matching funds was distributed to 51 arts and cultural organizations who partnered with 178 businesses across the province. These partnerships generated more than $821,000 in new private sector investment in the province, so combined with the matching funds, resulted in $1.17 million.
