Library/Art Gallery donation

The Grande Prairie Public Library Friends Society presented $80,000 which was the culmination of three years of fundraising efforts on behalf of the project. Grande Prairie's Elks Lodge 285 and the Royal Purple of Canada presented a check for $50,000 and the Swan City Rotary Club announced their gift of $100,000. Mr. Clem Collins continued his commitment to literacy and the arts with a personal gift. "We are so grateful to these community leaders for their belief in this project and their efforts to fund what will certainly be a cultural landmark for Grande Prairie," said Bauer. Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. announced a major gift of $75,000. Both Bank of Montreal and Alliance Pipeline presented donations of $5,000. "Our corporate donors have shown commitment and foresight with their early involvement in the project," said Bauer. The pinnacle of the evening was an announcement from special guest Ken Sargent who, with Prairie Art Gallery Board Chair Marjorie Taylor and Grande Prairie Public Library Board Chair Wendy Nurcombe, unveiled a $1-million donation from the Ken & Teresa Sargent Family Foundation. "This is the largest gift to the Cultural Centre campaign to date," said Bauer. "It may also possibly be one of the largest charitable donations in city history." A portion of the gift will fund the large hall in the new building which will be named in memory of Teresa Sargent. "We are extremely pleased that the Ken & Teresa Sargent Family Foundation has decided to take a leading role in this campaign," said Bauer. "Their generous contribution will help to create an architectural landmark that will be a dynamic centre for arts, culture and learning in the region." The City of Grande Prairie has committed $26.2-million to the construction of the new facility. Other funding includes $2.25-million from the provincial government. The $3.5-million campaign will provide furnishings, equipment, art collections and an endowment fund. Grande Prairie's Cultural Centre is a joint project of the Grande Prairie Public Library and the Prairie Art Gallery. The new facility featuring an expanded Gallery and new Library is targeted for completion in 2008.