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\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\nThe federal government announced a $40 million investment for Contemporary Calgary\u2019s Centennial Planetarium Transformation project Friday.<\/p>\n
Funding will go to renovating the existing building and will include the country\u2019s very first LED dome dedicated to visual arts.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll start by building a new entrance pavilion just on the other side of that wall, new education spaces, galleries, a rooftop gathering space, and the restoration of this magnificent dome,\u201d said Contemporary Calgary CEO David Leinster in his announcement.<\/p>\n
The pavilion entrance will be at street level, allowing guests to see into the building. There is expected to be a caf\u00e9 and gift shop that can be accessed without admission.<\/p>\n
There will also be an education and gallery wing consisting of three floors. The first floor will be an educational space, the second floor will house galleries that will be visible from the exterior of the building, and the third floor will include a dedicated event space that contributes to Contemporary Calgary\u2019s financial sustainability.<\/p>\n
Other additions include a sculpture park and garden, which will connect the community and river pathways. The park will also allow for better stormwater management and \u201creintroduce native plants to the site.\u201d<\/p>\n
Canadian Minister of Identity and Culture Marc Miller says it\u2019s about ensuring the future of art and artists in Calgary and Alberta.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll bring kids and inspire them the way I was inspired coming here to see the planetarium,\u201d he told CityNews.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a building that is a product of its time, and it needed a freshen-up, and these guys have had a great vision for building art and building a space that will actually attract people.\u201d<\/p>\n
Miller adds that the size of the crowd at the announcement is a testament to how much the city cares for the project.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is Stampede Week, so it could\u2019ve been just a few stray cats, but we had about 400 people, which was really amazing,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt shows people\u2019s passion for arts and culture.\u201d<\/p>\n
The federal government\u2019s investment comes from the Build Communities Strong Fund. The total budget for this phase of the project is $160 million.<\/p>\n
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\t\t\t\tA visual for Contemporary Calgary\u2019s Centennial Planetarium Transformation. (Government of Canada\/Contemporary Calgary, Screenshot) <\/p>\n
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