The much-anticipated official opening of the Parksville Outdoor Theatre took place on Friday, July 22 in the Parksville Community Park.
Hundreds of residents and visitors brought lawn chairs and settled in for the evening to kick off Parksville Beach Festival’s summer concert series. The evening began with a performance by Salish shxw’aluqwa’ (Salish Sisters), traditional singers from Snaw-Naw-As First Nation, followed by speeches and the official passing of the management, on behalf of the city, to the Parksville Beach Festival Society.
“We are so proud of this gorgeous new performance theatre tucked within the jewel of Parksville, our community park,” said Cheryl Dill, society president. “It represents many years of volunteerism and collaboration and promises tremendous opportunity for community engagement and economic development.”
The theatre features a covered accessible stage, dressing rooms, washrooms, storage space, lighting, acoustic treatments, access ramp and a dancing area.
“The Parksville Outdoor Theatre, an exciting new addition to the city, will create a sense of community and enhance the quality of performance-related events,” said Mayor Ed Mayne. “Bringing new and exciting cultural events to Parksville for residents and visitors. We are grateful for the significant support from the provincial and federal governments, Island Coastal Economic Trust, and the Parksville Beach Festival Society.”
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In 2018, the Parksville Beach Festival Society approached council with the concept to build an outdoor theatre in the community park. This new facility will provide a formal entertainment space, support the festival’s five-week international sand sculpting exhibition and concerts in the park, as well as other community activities and events.
In 2020, the city received funding of $1,263,521 through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Stream, for improvements to public spaces in the community park.
“Artistic and cultural events help connect our residents and breathe life and vitality into communities,” said Harjit S. Sajjan, minister of international development and minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, on behalf of Dominic LeBlanc, minister of intergovernmental affairs, infrastructure and communities. “By investing in cultural spaces like the Parksville Outdoor Theatre, we are providing a place for residents to enjoy plays, concerts and a variety of activities — and building a more inclusive community.”
The community park improvements project also received funding of $204,000 from Island Coastal Economic Trust and received funding support from the city and beach fest society.
“The trust committed to this strategic investment as the first funder,” said Aaron Stone, Island Coastal Economic Trust. “This is a key role we’re honoured to deliver on today — serving as a catalyst for vital investment and economic development in exciting projects like this across the coast.”
— NEWS Staff, submitted