Gallery: Sneak peek of the new BMO Theatre Centre at Olympic Village

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      The BMO Theatre Centre won't be opening its doors just yet, but the Straight got an exclusive preview of 162 West 1st Avenue before the building's completion.

      Located near Olympic Village, the facility is already home to the offices of Arts Club and Bard on the Beach. The $20.4 million complex will also house a 250-seat theatre, costume making facilities, and four smaller rehearsal theatres. The largest of the five theatres will be known as the Goldcorp Stage, in light of Goldcorp's $500,000 donation towards the installation of state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems.

      BMO Financial Group contributed another $1.5 million to help complete the construction of the complex, securing the building's naming rights. The City of Vancouver contributed a total of $14.6 million to the project, with $7.6 million coming from the Community Amenity Contribution, and the other $7 million coming from 2014's capital budget.

      On the national level, the Department of Canadian Heritage contributed $2.5 million through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, while British Columbia's Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development gave $1 million. 

      While primarily occupied by the Arts Club and Bard on the Beach, the theatre will be available for other non-profit arts organizations to rent. 

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