The Citizen, 2016-03-24, Page 9THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016. PAGE 9.
Smith, Garratt optimistic for partnership's future
Years from now...
Blyth Arts and Cultural Initiative 14/19 was the recipient of
a $3.3 million grant from the provincial government last
week and Deputy -Premier Deb Matthews was personally
on hand to deliver the news, calling Huron County her
second home. Following the announcement, on what he
By Shawn Loughlin
The Citizen
Last Tuesday was a whirlwind
experience for many in Blyth and
now, with a week to reflect, those at
the heart of the $3.3 million funding
announcement in Blyth are really
excited about what it could mean for
the future.
Blyth Arts and Cultural Initiative
14/19 Project Manager Peter Smith
says that while March 15 was
certainly a joyous day — with the
provincial government committing
$3.3 million to the project — it's
another part of the race, not the
finish line.
When the process began several
months ago, Smith said, several
things were immediately clear. After
representatives from the project first
met with Deputy -Premier Deb
Matthews, she said she would be the
called a day the people of Blyth will look back on as historic, 14/19
Project Manager Peter Smith gathered all in attendance for a
group picture on the steps of Memorial Hall, a building that will
benefit greatly from the funds. The picture features everyone from
councillors to local business owners. (Dennyscottphoto)
project's champion at the provincial
level.
As she mentioned on March 15,
Matthews has an extensive history
with Huron County. A London
native, Matthews said she grew up
shopping at The Old Mill and
attending Blyth Festival shows. She
now owns a cottage on Lake Huron
and calls Huron County her second
home.
While Matthews told Smith and
Hard at work
Through a special public workshop, the line between back and front stage was blurred on
Saturday evening. The workshop, which was for the ongoing creation of The Fighting 61st, a
play about the formation of the 161st Battalion in the Expeditionary Force, which came from
Huron, in the First World War. Shown plying their trade as actors are, from left: Eli Ham, Blyth
Festival Artistic Director Gil Garratt, Fiona Sauder and Daniel Roberts. (Dennyscottphoto)
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company she was on board with the
project very early in the
proceedings, there were a number of
things she wanted to know before
the provincial government would
invest.
Matthews first asked if there was a
substantial private donor base for the
project and Smith told her that there
is. Between some large-scale
donations and 14/19's ongoing
fundraising campaign, support for
the project from the private sector
has been good, he said.
Her second concern was that if the
province were to grant 14/19 some
money would those involved be able
to leverage it into more funds. Smith
said that those involved, including a
newly -formed fundraising cabinet,
were confident they'd be able to
leverage the funds appropriately.
As she said at the March 15
announcement, Matthews and the
provincial government hope to see a
commitment from the federal
government as well. Nothing official
has been announced, however.
Smith said there were a number of
aspects to the 14/19 project and the
creation of a cultural hub in Blyth
that impressed Matthews and
aligned with a number of provincial
government initiatives.
Matthews was encouraged by both
the economic development and
youth attraction aspects of the
project, Smith said, which are major
factors of 14/19.
Smith insists, however, that there
is still a long way to go for the
project.
"This is an important step, but it's
still just a step," Smith said. "We've
Continued on page 10
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