It took ten years, but Theater Le Diamant's private fundraising campaign finally reached its goal of raising $10 million.
The final check was just signed by the Desjardins Movement, which increased its contribution by noting that it was only $75,000 short of crossing the finish line.
“It’s a great New Year’s gift,” said the theater’s artistic director, Robert Lepage.
During the announcement of the completion of the major private financing campaign, we recognize from left to right: Steve Labrie, general manager of Diamant, Claude Gagnon, former operations manager of BMO Financial Group, Quebec (former co-president of the campaign). ), Lynda Beaulieu, Guy Cormier, President and CEO of Mouvement Desjardins, Robert Lepage, Vincent Masson, Deputy General Manager of Le Diamant. Photo by Stéphane Bourgeois, provided by Le Diamant
Since the campaign started in 2014, the road has been long and rocky. We wanted to raise $10 million in 12 to 15 months.
However, the tender took longer than expected and the pandemic didn't help.
“COVID-19 has hit us,” admits Le Diamant president Lynda Beaulieu. We had the wind in our sails. After the pandemic, it was difficult to restart the machine.”
A major donation of $1 million from the Sandra and Alain Bouchard Foundation last September gave the campaign new impetus. New donors then came forward.
“It was quite a boost,” Ms Beaulieu says.
Converted critics
The final dollars raised will help balance the budget of Le Diamant, which opened its doors in 2019.
Almost five years later, the theater has reached a certain cruising speed. It presents between 80 and 100 performances per year. It also convinced its critics, who argued that the public funds required for construction would only benefit a small elite.
Photo from the archives of Danny Taillon, provided by Theater Le Diamant
“Opinion radio stations have become fans. I'm not making it up, we interview them, they even criticize what we do. People see that we are essential to the community,” says Robert Lepage.
“There was also a feeling that the theater belonged to Robert Lepage,” adds Lynda Beaulieu, who believes that this perception has been reversed over time.
“I had the opportunity to listen to Robert at meetings and conferences. Each time I felt a deep desire for theater to be for everyone,” explains Guy Cormier, President and CEO of Mouvement Desjardins, who is also co-president of the Diamant fundraising campaign.
Le Diamant train station?
Lynda Beaulieu believes that the arrival of the diamond not only united Quebec's lower and upper towns, but also promoted trade between Montreal and the capital.
“We are a base for TOHU, we welcome international companies. It seems like we talk to each other more,” she said after her brother Robert pointed out that the diamond made people in the metropolis jealous.
The latter now dreams that a future/hypothetical tram stop will be named Diamond.
“I'm always proud when I ride the bus in the morning and see Place d'Youville and three names are mentioned: Diamant, Capitole and Palais Montcalm. I always tell myself it could be Le Diamant train station.”
Main donor of the diamond
1 million dollars and more
- Bell jar
- BMO
- Hydro Quebec
- Sandra and Alain Bouchard Foundation
- Robert Lepage
$500,000 to $999,000
- Gardens
- Kabuchon International
- Energy company
Source: Le Diamant Theater