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Construction of the new Jalynn Bennett Lecture Theater at Trent University’s Catharine Parr Traill College on London Street in Peterborough is officially underway, with the new Performing Arts Hall set to open in September.
“The Amphitheater is an exciting addition to Traill College and provides our students, faculty and community with an intimate, outdoor venue for plays and performances,” Michael Eamon, Principal of Traill College, said in a statement. .
“Now that we’ve paved the way, excitement is building for the fall when we can showcase student, campus and community talent. A dozen community partners are already looking forward to using the space, including 4th Line Theater and their Summer Youth Theater Company.
In addition to initial seed capital from the Estate of Jalynn Bennett, the Cultural Spaces Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage provided $564,000 for the project, while the City of Peterborough is providing $50,000.
Located in the central courtyard of Traill, the amphitheater will feature bleachers for 80 people, professional lighting and an acoustic design based on the traditional performance spaces of ancient Greece and Rome.
When completed, it will also be a tribute to the late Jalynn Bennett, former Chair of the Board of Governors of Trent and community facilitator who believed in the importance of empowerment through expression, as well as the civic value of the arts and heritage, according to release.
— Examination staff
