After officially opening the Lacombe Performing Arts Centre (LPAC) earlier this year, the Lacombe Performing Arts Centre Foundation (LPACF) has been nominated for Lacombe and District Chamber of Commerce Non-profit of the Year.
Executive Director Rosanna Kerekes said that all non-profits in Lacombe deserve to be recognized but the committee members of LPACF have worked hard towards the goal of opening the facility, meaning the nomination is well-deserved.
Kerekes said collaboration has been key to everything LPACF has done and plans to do in the future.
“Collaboration between business owners, community workers, non-profits and City itself is something you need to bring quality programming and entertainment,” she said.
That collaboration has led to a “very, very big year” according to LPACF Board Chair Grant Harder. He pointed to the hiring of Kerekes, the opening of the facility and the continued success of Music in the Park, Canada Day, the Culture and Harvest Festival and other events LPACF has been a part of .
Kerekes said programs and events will only expand now that LPAC is open.
”We want to provide different programming for visual artists, performing artists and everyone else. We want to use more of this space regularly to provide the programming for that need in the community,” she said.
She added the facility is already booked with shows and programming Monday through Saturday.
Harder said it is wonderful for the arts to be recognized in Lacombe.
”That is really what we have been about for a number of years; to increase the profile of arts in the community and give people a chance to participate and enjoy the arts. It is something we feel has been missing in Lacombe for a long time,” he said.
Going forward, the changes at LPAC will be mostly programming — with some cosmetic changes to the facility.
“Signage is our main focus at this point and as we grow and build our reserves, we will be looking at added accessibility for people in our theatre space. We are also looking at air conditioning,” Kerekes said.
She added, “We are privileged to be included in that group(of nominees). They are deserving and they all deserve an award. It is nice to be recognized for the work we have done.
“Our numbers have continued to grow. We have more people coming all the time asking how they can get involved. People recognize the value of arts in the community.”
todd.vaughan@lacombeexpress.com
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