03/07/2022
🎉Big News from Hugh's Room Live 🎉
Hugh’s Room Live has reached agreement to acquire a heritage church building designed by EJ Lennox located at 296 Broadview. The agreement concludes a two-year search by the venerable music venue to find a new home.
“When we closed our doors at our old Dundas Street West location, we knew that the only way music venues can survive in Toronto’s real estate market is to control our future by owning our own home,” said Brian Iler, Chair of Hugh’s Room Live. “The other critical piece in this is our approval as a registered charity. It means we are eligible for essential government grants and can provide donors with a charitable receipt. We will need the support of music lovers in Toronto and beyond to ensure this happens.”
296 Broadview offers the legendary venue the space to return as performance space but also implement its broader vision as a Community Music Centre. “The main floor will easily accommodate the listening room environment that people have come to expect from us,” said Alternate Chair, Jim Thomas. “The downstairs will allow us to build classrooms, meeting rooms, and a music studio as well as an ample kitchen and washrooms.”
Money for the down-payment was raised through bonds and gifts. A loan guarantee from the City of Toronto was an important step in securing funds to purchase the building. But the Board and volunteers still need to raise $2.2 million before closing on June 30. “We are very hopeful we will receive grant funding from Canadian Heritage’s Cultural Spaces program,” said Thomas. “That would really give us some breathing room.”
“A fundraising campaign is underway and we are seeking further support from major donors and sponsors,” said Iler. Donors can contribute at Canada Helps or transfer money to [email protected] and receive a tax receipt.”
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Press Inquiries:
Nicola Blazier, Jesson + Company
[email protected]
416.788-3316
Donations:
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/hughs-room-for-the-performing-arts-inc/