Government of Yukon
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FOR RELEASE #08-014
January 25, 2008
Yukon Government Joins The Frostbite Music Society in Celebration
WHITEHORSE – Tourism and Culture Minister Elaine Taylor and Economic Development Minister Jim Kenyon extend congratulations to Frostbite Music Society as they open their new permanent home on the Whitehorse waterfront and celebrate the 30th year of the Frostbite Music Festival.
"I would like to commend Frostbite Music Society on this milestone for their festival as well as their move to a permanent home," Taylor said. "This is a significant achievement in the development of the Shipyards Park area. The renovation and use of a heritage building for such a purpose is exciting and wonderful to see."
The society received $187,734 in Yukon government funding to offset the cost of moving and restoring Chambers House. The Historic Properties Assistance program provided support in recognition of the need to preserve one of Yukon’s privately owned historic properties. The society also received funding from the Community Development Fund (CDF) which supports community based organizations that have social, cultural and economic benefit to Yukoners.
"The Frostbite Music Society supports the continued growth of Yukon’s music industry by providing local artists with a forum to showcase their work," Kenyon said. "They are an excellent example of a community organization that works to make Yukon a great place to live. CDF supports organizations like Frostbite because they add tremendous value to Yukon communities."
The Chambers House, a two storey log building, was originally built in downtown Whitehorse circa 1925 for Harry "Shorty" Chambers, a well-known Whitehorse citizen of the day who ran various businesses in Whitehorse and Champagne. Chambers lived in the house until his death in 1944. The house has had several locations over the years, and on May 15, 2007 the structure was moved to Shipyards Park, where it was restored by the Frostbite Music Society as their permanent office.
"Having a permanent home has been the Frostbite Music Festival’s dream for over a decade," Society President Brenda Barnes said. "Having the Chambers House in Shipyards Park makes us an anchor tenant in Whitehorse's new summer festival site and brings new stability and maturity to the organization. We're very thankful to the Community Development Fund and to the Historic Properties Assistance program for enabling this three-year renovation and restoration project."
The 30th Frostbite Music Festival is taking place this year Feb. 15 -17, 2008 at the Yukon Arts Centre. Tickets went on sale Dec. 1, 2007. For more information about the society or about this year’s festival visit www.frostbitefest.ca.
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Contact:
| Roxanne Vallevand Cabinet Communications 867-633-7949 roxanne.vallevand@gov.yk.ca | Alicia Debreceni Communications Officer Tourism and Culture 867-667-5318 alicia.debreceni@gov.yk.ca | Sunny Patch Communications Analyst Economic Development 867-456-3913 sunny.patch@gov.yk.ca |
At Frostbite's new home are, from left to right, Frostbite Music Society President Brenda Barnes, Economic Development Minister Jim Kenyon, Frostbite Music Society General Manager Jason Seguin, and Minister of Tourism Elaine Taylor.