True North takes over Burton Cummings Theatre in Winnipeg

Winnipeg'shistoricBurton Cummings Theatre for the Performing Arts has officially been taken over by True North Sports and Entertainment.

In a news release issued on Monday, True North which owns the MTSCentre and the Winnipeg Jets said that effective April 15 they haveassumed management and operating control of the theatre.

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This is a very significant opportunity for us to expand our entertainment footprint in Winnipeg," KevinDonnelly, senior vice president and general manager of the MTS Centre stated in the release.

He called the theatre "the windowpane to Winnipegshistoric Exchange District."

Under the leaseagreement, True North willprovideprogramming and entertainment expertise to the 107-year-oldformer vaudevilletheatre.

Donnellysaid True North will tap into its partnerships and promoter relationships to boost the quality of shows to the Burt, as it is commonly known, anddo a number of upgrades tothefacility.

A newly-appointed board has been created to help govern the transition of thetheatre into "this exciting new era of entertainment growth in Winnipeg," stated the release from True North.

The board members are as follows:

• Jim Ludlow, board chair (president andCEO, True North)
• Ginette Lavack Walters (CEO, Festival du Voyageur)
• Carole Vivier (CEO, Manitoba Film & Music)
• Wayne Jackson (former GM of theBurton Cummings Theatre)
• Kenny Boyce (manager of films andspecial events, City of Winnipeg)
• Ross McGowan (CEO, CentreVenture)
• Paul Jordan, (COO, Forks North Portage Partnership)
• Wayne Perfumo (VP, Hospitality & Entertainment Services, MB Liquor & Lotteries)
• David Sherman, past chair (partner inPOP Sports & Entertainment)
• Kevin Donnelly, Treasurer (senior VPTrue North)