Grey Roots Museum and Archive is set to upgrade its theatre after landing a $50,000 sponsorship deal for the facility.
County council approved the deal on Thursday, so once an agreement is signed, it will be the Thomas Wheildon Theatre until 2034.
Savanna Myers, Director of Economic Development, Tourism and Culture said there's a standing call for sponsorship and this deal made sense for all sides.
"We very seriously consider what the value is for a sponsorship and for the theatre, specifically, to bring it into an asset that we can be proud of, we thought $50,000 and 10-year naming rights was very fair for this opportunity," she said.
Staff said the theatre has had increased demand since 2022, which exposed needs to upgrade the projector, lighting, audio equipment, as well as create inhouse video and livestreaming capability.
Southgate Deputy Mayor Barbara Dobreen questioned if that money was enough to cover livestreaming capabilities, but Myers said they didn't need the same set-up as County council chambers.
"We do have a really good costing because of the consultants report that was put out," she said. "We're looking about $35,000-ish for just that component. It is by far the most expensive piece followed by the projector."
The theatre's projector is obsolete now, as staff say parts are no longer available.
