Come opening night of Rosebud Theatre’s 2011 season, patrons will be able to sit down in the brand new Rosebud Centre dining room.
“We expect to take possession the first week of March as planned, and it will be opened to the public for our first show on March 25,” said executive director of Rosebud Theatre Bob Davis.
Rosebud will open its 2011 season with A Bright Particular Star, and the theatre hopes to shine on the stage and beforehand at dinner.
The theatre has been working towards this date for years, and over the past season, patrons could witness the transformation of the hamlet’s main street.
While plans had been in motion for some time, and had gained some initial funding from Encana and BJ Services, as well as federal and provincial government support during the crest of the economic boom, the project was shelved. It regained life in the fall of 2009 when the federal government came to the table with $2 million, as part of Canada’s Economic Action plan. The provincial government also chipped in $450,000 through the Community Enhancement Program, and the shovel was set to hit the ground.
This spring, theatre patrons will have their experience transformed. One of the benefits of the new and expanded mercantile is that patrons will no longer have a set seating time for dinner. The expanded space allows the theatre to seat patrons as they arrive. They will also be offering a plated meal service to season ticket holders, or to a regular patron for a small premium.
The new facility will also have a restaurant that will be open for lunch and dinner. The Encana Conference Centre allows the building to be used in a variety of ways.
“We already have three weddings booked in 2011…and we have some folks showing interest in booking their Christmas party so we have some good early interest in the catering, meeting and convention side of the facility,” said Davis.
Fundraising for the project continues. While the theatre’s ambitious efforts have paid for the bulk of the work, there is still fundraising needed to complete the project.
“We are still seeking support to complete the financial picture,” said Davis. “We are happy we are on time and are right on budget, but we would like to attract some more financial support for the project. We are looking at taking out a mortgage, but we don’t want to if we can get some more public and private support in the next few months.”
The theatre continues to talk with supporters and last fall appealed to season ticket holders and donors with ‘pick a project” to support the theatre, which included the ability to purchase a chair or table for the mercantile dining room.
"We want people to know if they wish to contribute, they still can. They can still be recognized on the recognition wall, or have their name on the table or chairs. Wherever they want to participate financially they still can do that,” said Davis.
Rosebud Theatre is planning a formal grand opening in May.
