Outdoor events throughout Chatham-Kent will now be able to utilize a transportable stage that will likely become a focal point locally for announcements and entertainment.
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent unveiled the new Mainstreet Credit Union Mobile Stage during an event at the John D. Bradley Convention Centre on Tuesday. The stage is equipped with state-of-the-art JBL loudspeakers, wired microphones, and bright outdoor LED lights.
Chatham-Kent CAO Michael Duben said the stage has several configurations that are different in size to accommodate various events and venues.
“Having the opportunity to see some of the talent we have in this community up on a stage where everybody can see then, as opposed to down on the ground with speakers and microphones that don’t work properly. We owe it to our community to have something like this so we can showcase our events, we can showcase our talents,” he said. “I think Chatham-Kent deserves something like this.”
The purchase of the $260,000 stage was made possible through a partnership with Mainstreet Credit Union, which put $100,000 towards the cost. The remaining difference was funded through an annual Community Benefit Contribution from Hydro One.
Duben said the stage can be transported and used in any community within Chatham-Kent.
“Chatham-Kent is huge geographically and we have communities that do not have stages, that do not have community centres. [But] a lot of places have parks and parking lots and riverfront,” he said. “It’s so nice to be able to take something like this to your community as opposed to everybody having to always come into the urban area for large venues.”
Municipal staff members have been trained on how to use the stage, which takes approximately an hour to set up and an hour to disassemble.
“We have a lot of people come from out of town to our events and I think they will be impressed when they see this,” said Duben.
For more information on rental fees and availability for the Mainstreet Credit Union Mobile Stage, contact the Chatham-Kent Special Events team at ckspecialevents@chatham-kent.ca.