The halls of the 100-year-old Knox United Church will once again be filled with the sound of music, thanks to a grant from the Northern Development Initiative trust.
Northern Development provided $137,607 to help convert the heritage building, located downtown at Fifth Avenue and Brunswick Street, into a professional-level performing music venue known as Trinity Downtown. In 2018, the church amalgamated its congregation with St. Andrew's United Church, forming Trinity United.
“The grant from NDIT is truly significant for us and our vision for our downtown space. It’s not just the funding, it’s also how it signals support for what we’re proposing to do. It’s a different way of doing things that creates ecosystems of partnerships and innovation that helps build vibrant, inclusive, resilient communities,” Rev. Bob Fillier of Trinity United said. “Over the next six months artists in, around, and coming to Prince George will have access to an affordable professional venue renovated with them in mind.”
The funding will support phase one of the project, and includes updating the in-floor heating system to facilitate the removal of the pews and shift to adaptable chair seating; installing a professional sound system and LED DMX controlled lights; installing stage drapery; and doing a partial roof replacement.
The project was one of five projects in northern B.C. NDIT approved provided funding for on July 27, totally $1.08 million in funding.