Imperial Theatre in Saint John is getting more than $2.1 million in federal funding for energy efficiency upgrades.
Saint John-Rothesay MP Wayne Long made the announcement Thursday morning at the uptown theatre.
Upgrades will include replacing the building’s aging HVAC system and gas-powered boiler with a new heat pump.
“We will be able to use a lot of the existing ductwork that already exists in the building, so there will be very limited impact from a structural perspective,” Angela Campbell, the theatre’s executive director, said in an interview.
Campbell said cooling systems will also be added to the lobby area, administration offices and backstage. Currently, there is only air conditioning in the auditorium and on the stage.
The funding will also be used to help upgrade the theatre’s lighting system, according to the federal government.
Campbell said the modernization project will lead to big energy savings for the 110-year-old building.
“The upgrades will result in a 62 per cent energy savings annually and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 135 tonnes per year, which is the equivalent of taking about 22 cars off the road for a whole year,” she said.
The federal funding comes from the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program, which is providing $1.5 billion over five years toward green and accessible retrofits, repairs and upgrades.
Campbell said it would be difficult for the theatre to make these kinds of upgrades without support from other partners, such as the federal government.
“It’s really incredible that the feds are making this kind of national investment into community buildings to really help them become more energy efficient, reduce their costs and to help create more sustainable buildings moving forward,” she said.
Imperial Theatre is contributing $538,387 toward the work, for a total project cost of more than $2.69 million.
Campbell said they hope to take advantage of provincial subsidies and other green energy programs to help cover their portion of the funding.
Work is expected to take place during the summer of 2024, which is the least busiest time for the theatre, she said.
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