Less than 48 hours after having its annual service grant boosted by the City of Peterborough, Showplace Performance Centre board members, staff, and donors gathered Thursday afternoon (November 30) to celebrate one of the theatre’s founders and most fervent supporters.
The Erica Cherney Theatre sign, situated above the doors to the main 640-seat performance space in the lobby, was unveiled by Erica’s children Karen and Rich Cherney as their brother Michael looked on proudly.
VIDEO: Unveiling of The Erica Cherney Theatre at Showplace Performance Centre
“This summer Beth (McMaster) approached me with an idea, saying ‘The board and I think there’s a wonderful way to honour your mom. It would be a win-win. You’re looking for causes to support; we want to honour your mom. What about naming the main auditorium at Showplace for her,'” said Michael.
“Mom is with us today. She is chuckling and she is blushing, saying ‘Oh c’mon, really?’ But most of all she has a smile on her face. That is how the three of us remember her.”
A very successful businesswoman as well as a tireless supporter of numerous community organizations, causes and events, Erica died on August 16, 2016, after a length battle with cancer. She was 84.
“We were always talking about the possibility of this place … we were reading from the same page,” said McMaster who, along with Erica, Betty Farquharson and Barbara Scott, spearheaded a campaign to gather support for the development performance theatre in the downtown core.
That led to the purchase of the Trent Cinemas property in 1995. After the building was gutted and renovated, Showplace opened on October 5, 1996.
“On my way in this morning, I stopped at the cemetery to see her grave and tell her hello and what we’re up to,” said Rich.
“Her gravestone reads ‘Cherish the memory and let it live on’. We think naming this theatre after her, and doing our best to ensure that Showplace continues to survive and thrive, is one of the best ways we know that patrons of the theatre can, in fact, cherish her memory.
“One thing that many people have said, both about mom and myself, is we are shit disturbers. We’re also passionate about things that are important to us. We’re passionate about showing what is important to us. We’re really passionate about this community, about maintaining our legacy in it, about not forgetting it.”
For her part, Karen mused on what her mom’s reaction would have been to the dedication.
“First of all, she would have first chosen to help anonymously. This probably wouldn’t have been her first choice, just because she liked to do thing without fanfare for her. It’s touching. It brought tears to my eyes that I didn’t expect.”
The Cherneys joins a list of Showplace naming partners that includes Nexicom, Darling Insurance, Publican House Brewery, Whelan’s Flooring Centre, and David Goyette. Each has paid for their naming right.
Showplace interim general manager Emily Martin termed the cost for the main theatre naming “substantial” but added ‘That didn’t come into effect as much as having Erica’s name on the theatre. That’s where the value is (for Showplace).”
Also on hand was Paul Downs, past president of Nexicom. The Millbrook-based telecommunications company bought the naming rights to Showplace’s lower-level performing space, the Nexicom Studio, several years ago.
He termed the Cherney dedication “marvelous to see,” adding, “It’s a reminder of how important it is for everyone in the community to be involved and support Showplace. It’s a unique venue.”
Thursday’s dedication capped off a great week for Showplace. On Tuesday (November 28), city council approved the provision of an annual service grant to Showplace in the amount of $137,181 — an increase of $30,000. In addition, the theatre will be granted $75,000 this year for renovations and another $75,000 in 2018 for the same purpose.
The funding comes on the heels of Showplace’s restructuring its finances to help deal with an ongoing deficit and much-needed renovations.
“This is a 640-seat theatre in the heart of our community,” said Mayor Daryl Bennett at the dedication. “In many ways, the heart of the community is what this place is.
“That speaks volumes about the reasoning behind city council’s long-term commitment. This has been a 20-year engagement and we’re just getting started.”
