Tag Archives: Perth and District Collegiate Institute

UCDSB invests $100,000 into PDCI’s theatre for upgrades

PDCI
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There are big improvements coming to the theatre at Perth and District Collegiate Institute. 

The Upper Canada District School Board recently announced that they have allocated more than $100,000 to be invested into threatre upgrades.

“Ensuring students have opportunities to express themselves through the arts is important,” said Carole Dufort, Ward 2 board trustee. “The school has a wonderful theatre that is used by more than just the students at this school, but our local elementary schools and community too. I’m very pleased the theatre will get these upgrades and continue to be the valued resource it has become.”

The project will go to tender shortly and will include upgrading of lighting and sound systems, among other items. The intention is for work to begin over the summer and be complete when students return to school in September 2024. 

The Upper Canada District School Board recently announced it has allocated more than $100,000 into theatre upgrades to start this summer and be finished for the reopening of the school year in September. Photo credit: Submitted.

“As we continue to focus on the fundamentals of reading, writing and math, we can’t forget that all these components are part of what happens on stages like the one at PDCI. Reading lines, building sets, writing skits to perform – those are all real-world applications of literacy and math skills,” said Ron Ferguson, UCDSB Director of Education. “We are pleased that our trustees have been supportive in funding arts programs, while maintaining a balanced budget. And we thank our MPP John Jordan and the Ministry of Education for continuing to provide the funding to allow us to keep our schools well maintained so we can offer these opportunities.”

Jordan was at PDCI for “Take your MPP to School Week” and experienced the school’s theatre. He said, “It was a pleasure to be back in the PDCI theatre to watch a drama class in action, utilizing their communication and problem-solving skills, while keeping engaged with their peers. The theatre also serves as a community hub for the Town of Perth, bringing in top quality entertainment, while giving the town an economic boost. Our government continues to invest in new schools and improved infrastructure in existing schools across the province to support the needs of Ontario’s students, families and growing communities. Congratulations to PDCI and the Upper Canada District School Board for investing in the theatre for generations to come.”

Smiths Falls Rotary Club bringing world renowned fiddlers MacMaster and Leahy to Lanark County

MacMaster/Leahy family photo
The Smiths Falls Rotary Club will bring Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy and family to Perth on April 11 for a performance to help raise funds for the hospital’s MRI campaign. Photo credit: Submitted.

Fundraiser for hospital’s MRI campaign

LAURIE WEIR

The last time world renowned fiddlers Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy were in Lanark County it was in 2022 when they headlined for Perth’s Stewart Park Festival.

This year, the duo returns – this time to Perth and District Collegiate Institute — as a fundraiser by the Smiths Falls Rotary Club for the MRI campaign by the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital Foundation, “Magnifying Care Close to Home.”

Natalie and Donnell, married since 2002, come from musical families rooted with Cape Breton’s heritage. Natalie started playing the fiddle at age nine, launching a career spanning over 30 years. Her debut recording at 16 gained recognition in the US and Canada for her commitment to Cape Breton’s fiddling tradition. With captivating performances, Natalie blends innovation with tradition, leaving audiences eager for more at each show.

It was recently announced that Natalie and Donnell are intending to bring their seven

music-loving children and bass player Remi Arsenault to perform in Perth.

ABOUT THE MRI CAMPAIGN

“Magnifying Care Close to Home” is the name of the fundraising campaign to help pay for the $6.1 million MRI located at the Smiths Falls site. The PSFDH Foundation has committed to a three-year, $6.1 million campaign to bring the MRI to the community.

According to their website, “$6.1 million is a huge number yet to put this into context, our catchment area incorporates approximately 60,000 or more people,” notes Kristine Fair, PSFDH Foundation chair. “If it were possible for every member of our community to donate $100, we would achieve our goal! So that $100 is only $33 for each year of the campaign.”

The Perth show will be held on Thursday, April 11 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at https://sfrotary.ticketsplease.ca.

Perth wins EOSSAA Senior A Boys’ Basketball Championship while Almonte wins EOSSAA Junior A Boys’ title

Perth Blue Devils
The Perth and District Collegiate Institute Blue Devils defeated the Rideau District High School Lions 48-39 to take the EOSSAA Senior A Boys’ Basketball Championship. Both the Blue Devils and the Lions will now advance to the OFSAA Boys’ A Basketball Championship. Photo submitted.

The Perth and District Collegiate Institute (PDCI) Blue Devils won the 2020 EOSSAA Senior A Boys’ Basketball Championship Wednesday, February 26 defeating Rideau District High School (RDHS) 48-39.

The hosting Blue Devils rebounded in the second half of the final to win the championship, after trailing RDHS 29-20 at half time. Strong games by PDCI’s Chris Miller and Will Bellamy helped assure the victory. Bellamy scored 11 points, while Miller posted 18, as well as a game-high 18 rebounds.

“It felt great,” said PDCI Coach Kevin Bellamy. “We know we have a talented team, but we practiced a lot to get here and it all came together for us over the last month.”

PDCI upset number one-seeded Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School 67-50 on Tuesday in their first game of the tournament. Subsequent wins over Ernestown Secondary School and St. Lawrence Secondary School (SLSS) put them in the final.

Both PDCI and RDHS now qualify to compete in the OFSAA Boys’ A Basketball Championship, scheduled for March 9-11 at West Ferris Intermediate and Secondary School in North Bay.

  • The Almonte District High School team
    The Almonte District High School team defeated Académie Catholique Ange Gabriel 69-44 to take the 2020 EOSSAA Junior A Boys’ Basketball Championship. Photo submitted.

In the 2020 EOSSAA Junior A Boys’ Basketball Championship, hosted at SLSS on February 25, Almonte District High School (ADHS) defeated Académie Catholique Ange Gabriel by a score of 69-44. ADHS claimed the title through strong performances by Jeremiah Della Foresta and twin brother Gabriel, who posted 23 and 16 points respectively. Griffin Lee had seven assists in the game, while Ben Dyck contributed with seven rebounds to seal the victory.

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