Government of Yukon
Archives
FOR RELEASE #08-077
April 4, 2008
Old Fire Hall Opens its Doors to Arts and Culture
WHITEHORSE - The Old Fire Hall in downtown Whitehorse opens its doors today as an arts and cultural venue in 2008/09, Tourism and Culture Minister Elaine Taylor announced.
In the summer of 2007, the Yukon government partnered with the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce and the Yukon Arts Centre in a pilot project at the fire hall during the summer months. In a 57 day period from mid-May to mid-September the venue saw more than 15,300 visitors coming from across Canada and the United States as well as from other countries.
"By investing in the Old Fire Hall as a public venue, we acknowledge its importance as a significant heritage building and an important asset to the Whitehorse waterfront," Taylor said. "The activities that will take place will complement other investments on the Whitehorse waterfront, including the MacBride Museum expansion, trolley extension and other improvements in support of identified projects by the City of Whitehorse, Kwanlin Dun First Nation and the Ta'an Kwach'an Council."
"The opening of the Old Fire Hall again this year is good for business," Rick Karp, Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce president said.
"This agreement between Tourism and Culture and the chamber will open many opportunities for the arts and cultural community as well as for local businesses."
"This year, the Old Fire Hall will become the focal point for many activities along the Whitehorse waterfront giving people another reason to visit and shop in the downtown core. The chamber thanks the Yukon government for its ongoing support for business issues, and the Yukon Arts Centre for its partnership, expertise, enthusiasm and many hours of work to make the Old Fire Hall ready for bookings," Karp said.
The Old Fire Hall is also a benefit to the arts community, Al Cushing, Yukon Arts Centre chief executive officer said.
"The Yukon government and the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce had the foresight to make an investment in animating the Old Fire Hall for a full year," Cushing said. "This investment will yield a cultural dividend that will increase the vibrancy and diversity of Whitehorse and will support business and generate growth."
Businesses, not-for-profits, and individuals interested in booking the Old Fire Hall for their activity can contact the Yukon Arts Centre at techdir@yac.ca or telephone (867) 667-8575.
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| Contact: | |
| Roxanne Vallevand Cabinet Communications (867) 633-7949 roxanne.vallevand@gov.yk.ca |
Karen Keeley Communications, Tourism and Culture (867) 667-8304 karen.keeley@gov.yk.ca |
Left to right - Al Cushing, Executive Director, Arts Centre, Elaine Taylor, Minister, Tourism & Culture and Rick Karp, Executive Director, Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce