College of Piping looks for help as new building completed

Summerside's College of Piping is looking for help from the city to get through the next year, but says fans of the Celtic arts on P.E.I. can expect more events in return.

We cannot just rely on status quo.- James MacHattie

That was the message at a presentation at Summerside's council meeting Monday night. The school is asking for $10,000 to get it through 2017, which it is calling a transitional year.

The college says this would be a one-time request that would get it over a hump as its new building is completed.

"We cannot just rely on status quo with everything different this year," said college principal James MacHattie.

"We need to get through this transitional year. With the theatre not going to be ready we've got to be creative."

A multicultural festival

MacHattie said while there are costs in the short term, in the long term the college will be offering more programs and events.

Among the programming ideas is a new multi-cultural festival planned for May. The college has teamed up with the Mi'kmaq and Acadian communities and islooking for other cultural groups to join.

The new building is scheduled to open in September. The city will make its decision about funding as it prepares its 2017 budget.

• MORE P.E.I. NEWS |MacAulay defends CETA plan for dairy industry
• MORE P.E.I. NEWS |Plebiscite results give rise to new political power