Government of Canada Supports Interpretive Centre Upgrades and Canada Day Celebrations at Historic Fort Calgary

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - July 1, 2015) - Department of Canadian Heritage

The Fort Calgary Preservation Society has received funding of $269,789 through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, in support of the purchase of specialized equipment for its museum, the Fort Calgary Interpretive Centre. The Society also received $10,000 in funding through the Celebrate Canada program to help it deliver Canada Day activities this year.

This investment has enabled the Society to purchase and install museum-standard storage cabinets, a display case and an environment monitoring system in its collections storage area. The Interpretive Centre's 100-seat theatre has also benefitted from enhancements including new theatre lighting, a video projector and screen, seating, and hearing assistant and audio equipment.

Funding will also support the Society in delivering Canada Day activities at Fort Calgary, including a pancake breakfast, a protocol ceremony, live performances, family and children's activities, an antique car demonstration, the Lord Strathcona Mounted Troop Musical Ride, and crafting activities related to the 50^th anniversary of the National Flag of Canada.

Joan Crockatt, Member of Parliament (Calgary Centre), announced this support today on behalf of the Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

Quick Facts

• Fort Calgary is located on 40 acres of parkland just east of downtown Calgary. It is the site where, in 1875, the North West Mounted Police built its fort and laid the foundation for the city that became Calgary. It is a Provincial Historic Resource and a National Historic Site of Canada.
• The Fort Calgary Preservation Society operates Fort Calgary. Its mandate is to preserve, utilize, develop, interpret and promote the Fort for the benefit of Calgary's citizens and visitors. The Society is a non-profit organization established in 1977.
• The Canada Cultural Spaces Fund seeks to improve physical conditions for artistic creativity and arts presentation or exhibition. It is also designed to increase access for Canadians to performing arts, visual arts, media arts, museum collections and heritage displays.
• Celebrate Canada is a four-day celebration that includes National Aboriginal Day on June 21, Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day on June 24, Canadian Multiculturalism Day on June 27 and Canada Day on July 1.
• Canada History Week runs from July 1 to 7 each year and is an opportunity for all Canadians from coast to coast to coast to learn about the people and events that have shaped our great nation on the local and national level.

Quotes

"Canada has a rich history, and our Government is proud to create and support opportunities for Canadians to learn about it. The Fort Calgary Preservation Society works tirelessly to ensure that our stories are preserved for future generations of Canadians. This investment will allow it to continue strengthening Calgary's unique heritage. I invite all Canadians to take the opportunity during Canada Day and Canada History Week to learn more about what makes Canada the strong, proud and free country it is today."

-The Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages

"Fort Calgary is the foundation for modern-day Calgary. I am proud our Government continues to invest in the places, people and events that have shaped our country. The upgrades to the Interpretive Centre will enable more of Calgary's residents and visitors to learn about what has shaped our great city, and the investment in today's Canada Day celebrations will help us feel little closer to our fellow Canadians and revel in our shared history and culture. Well done!"

-Joan Crockatt, Member of Parliament (Calgary Centre)

"Fort Calgary wishes to thank the Government of Canada for these generous investments. The renovation of our theatre, which is well-used and loved, will give the community a wide variety of new performance, theatre and meeting opportunities. Our new collection facilities will ensure that Fort Calgary's treasures are professionally managed and protected.

"And on Canada Day, over 20,000 people are able to celebrate this event at the Fort at no cost in the place where their city began. This is thanks, in part, to many volunteers-including our Board, who will be flipping pancakes. It's a great day to be at the Fort!"

-Sara Gruetzner, President and Chief Executive Officer, Fort Calgary Preservation Society

Associated Links

Fort Calgary

Canada Cultural Spaces Fund

Celebrate Canada program

History of Canada Day

The Canada 150 Fund

National Flag of Canada

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