February 1st, 2008 marked an important day for Cambridge, the Region of Waterloo and the Surrounding Area, when it was announced that our Conservative Government was investing $6 million into the creation of a state-of-the-art, year round performing arts complex in Cambridge which would become the new home of Drayton Entertainment. Make no mistake; this is far more then a theatre.

The exciting facts speak for themselves;

• Drayton Entertainment is a non-profit, registered charitable organization and is the only theatre in the area that makes money.
• This profit is almost guaranteed as seen through Drayton Entertainments track record. Not only has Drayton Entertainment been debt-free for its entire 18-year history, but is also a six-time winner of the prestigious Lieutenant Governors Award for the Arts, given to organizations who demonstrate exceptional fiscal responsibility.
• The facts show that every dollar spent at the box office, an additional $8 is spent directly in the community. Given Drayton Entertainments $10 million annual budget, this amounts to $80 million for the community. This is spent in our local stores, restaurants, and hotels.
• The annual taxes generated by Drayton Entertainment equal $2.7 million in the first year, rising to $4.8 million in year 5 and thereafter. Great dividends for a $6 million investment.
  

This is money that the government can put back into Cambridge to fix infrastructure and other necessities.

• The new theatre will be a 15,000 sq. foot facility to be opened in 2009, it will include a 500-600 seat theatre facility which will host Drayton live professional theatre performances and will accommodate a variety of other uses and events, such as school choirs and fundraisers, music recitals and dance competitions, visual art exhibits and many more family, youth and educational programming, with a projected 100,000+ visitors annually. The administration offices and set construction will be a 65,000 sq. foot facility located in Cambridge, which will also feature an area for a centralized set construction, audio, carpentry and costumes area, meeting rooms, conference rooms and classrooms to engage opportunities including but not limited to youth.
  

• Drayton Entertainment will employ 60-75 full time individuals in Cambridge at the centralized administration and production centre.
• The theatre will also contribute to the future employment of young adults. Drayton Entertainments Educational Outreach Program will partner with educational institutions, like Conestoga College and the University of Waterloo School of Architecture, to create professional development opportunities through internships, job shadowing and co-op placements.
• Drayton Entertainment will be a benefit to our community and the impact of this announcement is already being exemplified in the community. Cambridge’s artistic side is becoming noticeable on an international stage.
• Beginning with Drayton and now with the possibility of La Biennale, an international architecture festival, coming to the city, it goes to show just how strong the arts are in Cambridge and how far the Conservative government will go to support this.
  

By investing in projects, like Drayton Entertainment, we not only create a community culture, but raise the living standards for all and generate a steady stream of tax revenue to be then spent on pot holes, our health care and to create less personal tax for people in Cambridge.

This is way more than just a theatre!