Leader Community Centre to receive stage upgrade

By Joan Janzen

The Leader & District Arts Council and the Town of Leader are excited to announce funding has been received to complete stage upgrades at the Leader Community Centre. The successful approval of a Canadian Heritage Grant in the amount of $60,000 will cover 75 percent of the projected costs. The upcoming project includes the installation of new curtains and stage lights.

The Sandhills Credit Union presented a donation of $10,000 to the Leader & District Arts Council for the stage upgrade project. Photo courtesy Treena Redman

Treena Redman, President and Performing Arts Coordinator for the Leader & District Arts Council, explained the grant was under the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund Program, Special Equipment Component. She was excited to make the announcement on Saturday, January 20th, that 100 percent of the projected costs had been raised. Twenty-five percent of that amount came from donations.

Those donations included $10,000 from Sandhills Credit Union, $5,000 from Leader Lions, and the River Hills Lions Club donated $3,130. Halftime Huddle held a karaoke night with the 50/50 and a portion of the drink sales going towards the project. There were also donations received from individuals who contributed to the project.

“We have hired Production Lighting from Saskatoon to do the work,” Treena said. The company visited Leader last week to take measurements and order everything required for the project. Treena said the curtains presently on the stage were originally installed more than three decades ago and have seen better days, and the stage lights will be upgraded to LED lights.