Recent upgrades to the Montgomery Theatre in Cavendish’s Avonlea Village are giving Islanders and visitors alike yet another reason to visit the area. The upgrades were made possible through federal and provincial funding announced by the Honourable Diane Ablonczy, Secretary of State for Small Business and Tourism, and the Honourable Carolyn Bertram, Minister of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour.
“The Government of Canada is pleased to partner with community organizations and the provincial government for the Montgomery Theatre project,” said Secretary of State Ablonczy on behalf of the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. “This newly transformed cultural facility will draw PEI residents and visitors alike to Cavendish to see plays about the life and times of Lucy Maud Montgomery.”
Located in the heart of Anne’s Land, Montgomery Theatre provides late afternoon and evening activities to entice visitors to extend their stay in the area.
“For the past 100 years, fans everywhere have been captivated by L.M. Montgomery's stories and by the creativity of her imagination,” said Minister Bertram. “I commend President Walter Wyand, Artistic Director Duncan McIntosh and everyone involved in creating Prince Edward Island’s newest live theater, for helping to share the literary community of Montgomery’s era with Islanders and visitors.”
Montgomery Theatre is a newly upgraded property situated in Avonlea Village. The facility houses seating for 200 and has been equipped with removable staging, curtains and other amenities.
“Tourism operators in the Cavendish area have been seeking a new attraction that would provide evening entertainment to visitors,” said Walter Wyand, President of Montgomery Theatre Inc. “We are thrilled to have federal, provincial, and local support on a project that will not only attract theatre-goers to this area, but also provide Islanders and visitors with a unique line-up of plays featuring comedy, romance and fantasy.”
ACOA, through its Innovative Communities Fund, will invest more than $60,000 in new equipment for the theatre. The provincial department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development will contribute $25,000 towards the project.