Calgary takes steps toward new music centre

A new national music centre set to rise in Calgary's East Village neighbourhood is a step closer to breaking ground after a city council committee approveda $25-million commitment to the project Tuesday albeit with restrictions.

The group unanimously approved a contribution of $25 million forconstruction of the Cantos Music Foundation's National Music Centre, proposed for the site of the historic King Edward Hotel and carrying an estimated construction costof $94 million.

The endorsement still needsfinal approval from council's finance committee, which will meet Jan. 25. If approved,$2.5 million will be available immediately to supportplanning stages of the proposed 80,000-square-foot facility.

The rest would be accessible only when Cantos securesfinancial commitments from the provincial and federal governments. The foundation is alsoseeking$20 million in corporate and individual donations.

Organizers unveiled the chosen design forthe new facilities in September, withOregon-basedAllied Works Architectureto work with Calgary architectural firm BKDI. The tentative plan is for the venue to open in July 2012.

The centre wouldbe a multi-purpose venue, set to house the Cantos Music Collection, a music centre withperformance space, recording studios, classrooms, radio broadcasting facilities, artists' programs and a collection of artifacts and memorabiliafrom the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame.