Feds to offer $3 million to Greenberg theatre

The federal government plans to announce a$3 million grant to Ottawa's Great Canadian Theatre Co., which is building the new Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre at the corner of Holland and Wellington streets in Ottawa.

This contribution by the Department of Canadian Heritage marks the third and largest level of government support for the new theatre. The GCTC has already received $2.6 million from the Province of Ontario and a $1.3-million commitment from the City of Ottawa.

The theatre has already been given $2.6 million from the Greenberg family in honour of Irving Greenberg, a prominent Ottawa entrepreneur, philanthropist and theatre-loverwho died 15 years ago.

The grants now total $9.5 million, close to the estimated cost of the $10.5 million building.

The newbuilding's main theatre willhave 270 seats, an increase of 40 from the 230 seats at the existing theatre at 910 Gladstone Ave., near Rue Preston. The new facility will also feature a multi-purpose studio space with 90 seats.

Construction started in September 2005.

The GCTC was founded in 1975 by professors and students at Ottawa's Carleton University to produce Canadian plays. It is one of a handful of professional theatre companies that have nurtured Canadian plays and playwrights and helped them launch onto the international stage.