Winspear Expansion Reaches Major Milestone with CRL Funding Support

The Winspear Expansion project has reached a major milestone with the City of Edmonton’s commitment of funding through the Community Revitalization Levy (CRL). These funds are essential for continuing this transformative addition to downtown Edmonton, which will serve as a cultural landmark for all of Alberta.

With additional funding now in place, work is focused on completing the final interior elements of the project. The next phase of the expansion is on track for completion ahead of 2027, marking an important step toward opening a revitalized space that will serve our community. The expansion will not only enhance the Winspear as a premier performance venue, but also expand capacity to deliver programming, foster creativity, and connect with broader and more diverse audiences.

Over the next two years, we will need to raise additional funds to launch the expanded Winspear. This phase is not about construction. It is about being ready from day one. The expansion creates new opportunity, but it also brings greater responsibility. We need the people, expertise, and systems to operate more spaces, deliver more programming, strengthen partnerships, and welcome more people, while maintaining the quality our community expects.

To mark the recent CRL funding milestone, the Winspear hosted a celebration for donors, supporters, and community leaders, highlighting the collaborative effort behind this achievement. Among the speakers was Tanya Fir, Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women, who emphasized the broader impact of the project:

“This expansion reflects the dedication of so many partners who believe in the power of the arts to bring people together and strengthen communities. The Winspear and Edmonton Symphony Orchestra share a unique and closely connected relationship. Together, they deliver performances that enrich Alberta’s cultural landscape and strengthen Edmonton’s reputation as a destination for artistic excellence.”

Additional remarks were shared by Councillor Anne Stevenson; Sam Jenkins, Chair of the Board of Directors for the Edmonton Symphony Society; and Alex Draper, Director of Philanthropy at the Winspear, each underscoring the importance of partnership and community support in bringing the project to life.

Reflecting on the broader vision, Winspear CEO Annemarie Leenhouts-Petrov described the expansion as a transformative force:

“Consider the Winspear Project as an agent of change, of metamorphosis—of this building, of our city, and of the potential to change the life of every person touched by music, for the better. A metamorphosis into something more beautiful at every level, because music is within all of us, and this is the place where that can happen.”

The event also featured a performance by Mallory Chipman, an award-winning musician, songwriter, and producer. Her connection to the Winspear runs deep as the granddaughter of Tommy Banks, whose legacy continues through the Tommy Banks Centre for Musical Creativity. The centre has expanded access to music education and discovery for people of all ages and backgrounds.

The Winspear extends profound gratitude to our donors and supporters, whose advocacy and generosity have made this milestone possible. Your continued belief in the project is helping to shape a cultural landmark that will have a lasting impact on Edmonton’s downtown and Alberta’s artistic landscape.

As the project moves forward, the focus remains on opening strong, growing programming, and ensuring long-term success. With this momentum, the Winspear expansion stands as an example of what can be achieved through shared vision, community investment, and a belief in the transformative power of music.