A big announcement was made Monday morning by the Lyric Theatre as they have secured a sizeable amount of money to start their extensive renovations.

The historical building in downtown Swift Current generated $45,000 in donations and counting, while competing in the "This Place Matters" contest, winning the West and being awarded another $30,000.

"We're pretty excited to have worked for a month towards this goal (of winning the crowdfunding competition)," Corla Rokochy, Program Manager for the Lyric Theatre said. "Everyone got on board between the volunteers, the board, the staff and our supporters around Swift Current. We're appreciative of everyone who voted and donated and made this dream into a reality."

Over 30 years have passed since the second floor has been used, but this crowdfunding competition has given board members more funding than they'd hoped would have been possible at this time.

"At the beginning with a rather slow start, it was even tenuous whether we'd be in contention for the western Canadian prize as well," explained Glenn Alexander, Executive Board member and Secretary for the Lyric Theatre. "However as happens time and time again here in Swift Current our local community has overwhelmed us with their generosity and support for the Lyric."

The hope is that contractors will be able to complete the front half of the upstairs level and finish the flooring on the entire level, once again bringing the second floor to life.

"I think we had a lot of believers that we could do it, because Swift Current is such a great community that supports us," Rokochy added. "We knew it once we got our believers on board that it was possible."

That will allow the Lyric Theatre to move their office upstairs while also get some programming and renters upstairs to continue to fund the project.

The plan for the second floor includes space for performances and small concerts, a rehearsal space, and a place where a group of artists can teach lessons.