Visitors to Victoria Playhouse Petrolia will soon find 100 inch screens near the stage.

It’s part of a $116,825 grant from the federal government announced Wednesday.

Peter Fragiskatos, parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources, was in Petrolia to make the formal announcement for Canada Community Revitalization and Tourism Relief Fund grants which were formalized earlier this spring.

In Petrolia, the VPP received $116,000 for two projects says Laurissa Ellsworth, director of marketing, arts and communications for the town. One project will see 100 inch screens mounted beside the stage. They’ll show announcements and sponsors before the show and Ellsworth says the screens may also enhance plays in the future.

The grant will also extend the run of the final program of the season – When Irish Eyes are Smiling which is scheduled to run until Oct. 9.

Fragiskatos also confirmed a $699,000 which will be used to enhance the Petrolia Y. That project – which has yet to be presented publicly nor approved by council – will cost about $932,000 in total.

The federal government had placed a very short timeline on the expenditure of the money, however Dave Menzies, director of facilities and community services, says there is some discussion about giving municipalities more time to complete the projects because of supply chain issues which are slowing construction projects across the country.

Also receiving some cash for projects were:

• The Kineto Theatre will receive about $48,000 to complete the facade renovation of the Forest Theatre
• Sarnia receives $450,000 to make improvements to Tecumseh Pool
• Lambton Shores receives $123,700 to improve pickleball courts in Arkona
• Bluewater Border Fest receives $100,000 for its summer concert event