The city lights will shine a bit brighter in Red Deer, as a new digital display was unveiled at the iconic RDC Welikoklad Event Centre earlier on June 15.
Joel Ward, Bill Welikoklad, Irma Welikoklad and Michael Donlevy
Along with a prominent LED illuminated display of the facility's name, the building now features two large outdoor screens. Each standing 5' x 18', the screens will provide a dynamic new visual appeal to the downtown community.
Renamed last year to recognize a generous $1 million donation from Bill and Irma Welikoklad, the facility has undergone numerous upgrades since it was purchased by Red Deer College in late 2012. This includes the creation of an art gallery, technology and acoustic upgrades to the theatre and cinema, mechanical, electrical, security and fire protection upgrades to modernize the cherished downtown facility.
"It's truly an honour for us to see our family name grace this historic building. We are proud to see that RDC students will be benefitting from an outstanding learning space as they share their creativity and talent with central Alberta," says Bill Welikoklad.
RDC's Welikoklad Event Centre houses a number of classes and activities for learners from the School of Creative Arts, which each year provides students with a platform to develop their expertise and offer outstanding arts and entertainment to the central Alberta community. The Centre is also an important teaching and learning space for students from the Donald School of Business and RDC's School of Continuing Education.
"As our community grows, we are pleased to continue playing an integral role in maintaining the vibrancy of our downtown core with quality learning facilities and valuable community space," says Joel Ward, RDC President and CEO.
While the digital displays replace the classic Uptown Theatre marquee boards that had once been a staple of downtown Red Deer, the College has commemorated the historic roots of the building with a large mural inside the facility. The mural depicts a marquee with a promotion of the first movie ever played at the Uptown Theatre, 1968's Guess Who's Coming to Dinner.
"For nearly 50 years, community members have been coming to this facility for arts and entertainment, so it was important to us to maintain that historic appeal while also upgrading the facility to meet the needs of our community today," says Ward.
As both an RDC learning facility and a community event space, the Welikoklad Event Centre includes an art gallery, a cinema that seats 110, and a theatre that seats more than 170.
