CORNWALL, Ontario – The official campaign launch to raise $1 million for a new Arts Centre in Cornwall took place at the old Bank of Montreal building on the evening of Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019.
The building was purchased by the City of Cornwall last spring for over $400,000 and administration estimates that $4-$6 million will be required for renovations before the new arts centre could be opened. This is roughly half the cost of the previously planned arts centre that was envisioned to be built in a remodeled Civic Complex.
The building was purchased under the previous council and past Mayor Leslie O’Shaughnessy.
“Past Council under the leadership of Mayor O’Shaughnessy, who is hiding in the back, had the foresight to purchase this building,” said Katie Burke, one of the leaders of the fundraising campaign.
At the start of the evening, the campaign had already raised $110,000, but withing a few minutes that number had ballooned to $144,500 thanks to donations handed in from Focus Art, the Arts Collective and Warner Insurance.
“It is an amazing feeling to make $34,500 in a few minutes. I feel like a CEO,” said Burke.
Those who are interested in contributing to the campaign can do so through making pledges at the City of Cornwall finance office. The donations can be over a multi-year committment and can also be made via credit card.
The fundraising campaign aims to have rewards for different levels of donations, and Burke said that the committee was looking into ways to honour contributors in the art centre when it opens.
The committee aims to reach its goal of $1 million by July 1.
