The Weyburn Triple C Centre is closer to becoming the Community, Culture and Convention centre for which a vision has long been held in Weyburn, with donations still being welcomed.
In December of 2012, Cenovus Energy donated $250,000 to the Triple C Centre, which was the largest lump sum the company has ever given to any single organization.
Triple C board members joined representatives from Cenovus for a tour of the facility on February 27. Cenovus' Community Investment Analyst Martha McClary and Community Relations Advisor Twila Walkeden were happy to be able to take the tour.
"Martha likes to have a visual aspect of just how our projects are progressing," said Walkeden, noting that it was an honour and a wonderful opportunity to have been one of the first members of the general public to see inside of the building project.
The project fits in perfectly with Cenovus Energy's 'pillars of investment' because the multi-use facility is attached to the school.
"It really goes to enhancing the community in many different ways," she said. "We can attract opportunities of hosting special events, talented performers and conferences."
With their investment, Cenovus purchased certain naming rights to aspects of the facility.
"We are still working with the school to get some opportunities for naming," said Walkeden, adding that the company's intention has been to provide a new scoreboard.
In new facilities and newly-renovated gymnasiums, however, scoreboards are becoming a thing of the past.
"We are now looking at a projection screen and how we can use that as a scoreboard," she said. "We are also looking at some large screens to go on either side of the stage."
Walkeden noted that several of the larger venues are already using the large screens for a number of reasons, not the least of which being that those with limited vision or distance seating could still enjoy performances.
"We'll find a way to put the Cenovus logo on that screen," said Walkeden, noting that it may be possible to include a watermark (similar to a television network logo) within each image used on the projection screen. As opposed to having a permanent sign made, this is a way to work with advancing technology.
"We want to take that emphasis on technology and use it in some of our recognition pieces," she noted. "It will serve the community the best if we can grab on to that new technology and use it."
Cenovus Energy's focus areas are learning, safety and well-being and sustainable communities.
"Martha covers a lot of different communities in our operating areas, and she is always so happy to come to Weyburn," she noted. "We've got such a strong community in terms of our volunteer efforts. There are a lot of people who put a lot of their personal energy and thoughts into making this community better. She is always so impressed, especially with the Triple C board. They work so hard and have been dedicated to this vision."
Walkeden noted that McClary takes this sentiment back to the Calgary offices, using this project in particular as an example of what has been successful in any community.
"She's always very impressed when she comes to Weyburn, to witness that level of commitment and volunteerism here," she said.
Triple C Centre chair Deana Mainil said that Cenovus recognizes a worthwhile project.
"I think they saw this as being something that is going to affect a lot of people, not just in Weyburn," noted Mainil. "This facility will be used almost every day of the year."
Since the 2010 survey for regular WCS facility rental (including school use) was approximately 340 days, a state-of-the-art resource space would only increase the centre's popularity as a venue.
When not in use for a concert event, the seating in the centre will be retractable, opening up gymnasium space for students. Up to 1,200 people can be seated in the centre, including additional chairs and the balcony area. When the seats are retracted, up to 900 people will fit at banquet tables.
The entrances to Cugnet Centre, which is the lower seating and the gymnasium area, will be along the west wall of Colleen Weimer Hall, the north end of which will become the main entrance to the school. The granite wall of donors will be located on the east wall of Colleen Weimer Hall.
Mainil noted that there are some opportunities for businesses and families to be included in the permanent donor recognition.
"For $1,000 you can get your name on that granite wall," she said. "We are also still selling seats $250 a piece." She noted that the seats are not guaranteed seating but that they are randomly placed. However, a family could request to have their namesake seats clustered together.
While classes at the Weyburn Comprehensive School are still in progress, the work is taking longer than originally projected. The majority of the work on the Triple C Centre project - not including the school facility renovations - is scheduled to be complete by July of 2013.
