The Government of Canada recently announced it was investing a total of $2.38 million to support the construction of infrastructure for eight arts and culture organizations in Calgary under the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund.

Of that total, $1.6 million is being invested in the Calgary Stampede Foundation for the construction of Walton Hall, a new flexible multipurpose space to be located in the heart of the foundation’s youth campus. When complete, this space will provide affordable and accessible performance and rehearsal space, with room for audiences of up to 150 people.

Other organizations that will benefit from the investment include the Calgary Public Library Foundation, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, EMMEDIA Gallery & Production Society, Fort Calgary Preservation Society, The Freed Artist Society, The In-Definite Arts and Theatre Calgary. The investments will support a wide range of projects at these organizations, including the purchase of specialized equipment, construction of performance and hosting spaces, upgrades to museum exhibition spaces, and infrastructure design and planning.

“These investments reaffirm the value of the arts and creative spaces in our cities, and will strengthen culture and heritage activities accessible to residents and visitors to Calgary,” said Randy Boissonnault, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre, in a press release. “I am especially pleased that the Calgary Stampede Foundation has chosen to honour the heritage of the region in the construction of the new Walton Hall.”