When community steps forward, magic happens.
New Brunswick is known for its generous people who look out for one another and help move our communities forward. This has certainly been evident with the number of people giving to the Encore! campaign for the new Performing Arts Centre.
Almost 600 donors have come forward as of the end of 2023, and over half of the campaign goal of $10 million has been raised. That’s by far the largest show of support to performing arts the Fredericton Playhouse has ever seen.
One of those generous donors is Gordon and Carol Burtt.
Gordon and Carol have dedicated their lives to investing in our community. Successful entrepreneurs, they were part of the Fredericton business community for over 57 years before recently retiring. Gordon opened the Bowl-a-Drome on Main Street in 1961 and entertained many in the area until 2018 when it was sold. They also owned Norge Cleaners, also on Main Street, operating since 1962 and expanding with a second location on Dundonald Street in 1991.
Many know of the Coats for Kids program that the Burtts ran for many years, collecting, repairing and cleaning coats that were distributed by the Salvation Army to those in need in our community. Carol spent many evenings and weekends repairing coats so that no child in the community went to school cold. More than 10,000 coats were collected and distributed through the program.
The couple have a long history of contributing to other worthy causes in our community as well, and more than that, they have taken on significant leadership roles for many of the charities that they also support financially.
Carol founded Feast in the Field, a long-running successful fundraiser for Ability New Brunswick, and she chaired many fundraising events for the Canadian Red Cross, the Chalmers Regional Hospital Foundation, Fredericton 150, York Care Centre, Fredericton Women’s Executive Club, Canadian Diabetes Association, Children’s Wish Foundation, United Way (Forever Fund) and more. Gordon has been involved with the Kindness Club for over 50 years and is presently president of the Kindness Club Foundation.
When it comes to the performing arts, both Carol and Gordon are especially passionate. Carol was an early member of the Playhouse Board of Directors, and she chaired two campaigns for the Playhouse – one to raise money for a new main curtain in the venue and another to replace the seats. They’ve also been very generous to the Fredericton Music Festival, having supported young musicians for many years.
Their latest gift is very special: they have donated $150,000 to the Encore! campaign!
In part, their donation will allow for the purchase of a new 7-ft grand piano for the Performing Arts Centre, one of two high-quality concert pianos in the new venue. The 7-ft piano will be used primarily in the Théâtre Wilma Clark Theatre, but it will also be able to be moved and used in the Main Hall as well as in the lobbies or the studio.
To recognize the Burtts’ support, the coat room in the Performing Arts Centre will be named the Vestiaire Carol & Gordon Burtt Coat Room.
“We thought it was a nice nod to the dedication that Gordon and Carol always had for the community, exemplified by the Norge Cleaners Coats for Kids program over many years,” says Tim Yerxa, executive director of Fredericton Playhouse Inc. “The Burtts have always been so community-minded and philanthropic both personally and through their businesses for decades in our city. We are thrilled that they have supported the Performing Arts Centre, and so pleased to name the coat room in the main entry and ground floor lobby for them.”
Gordon and Carol say that supporting the campaign was a natural fit for them. “We love the theatre and music. It’s so important for the community and our capital city to have this important new venue available for the next generations. I know we’re excited for shows there, and our grandkids are as well. The arts are important and this venue will provide high-quality entertainment and cultural learning for decades to come.”
