Massey Hall in Toronto has announced a C$5 million gift ($3.8 million) from the Slaight Family Foundation in support of an ongoing restoration.

The project involves both internal and external renovations to the 126-year-old concert hall, a Canadian National Historic Site, as well as enhanced amenities and accessibility options for patrons; two new music stages; expanded artist development, education, and outreach initiatives; and reinstallation of the hall's original stained-glass windows. In recognition of the C$10 million the foundation has provided for the project, the main auditorium will be named for Allan Slaight, a Canadian broadcasting pioneer; the main Massey Hall stage was named after Slaight in recognition of a C$5 million gift from the foundation in 2017.

"This incredible gift serves as a beacon of hope amid challenging times for the live music community, ensuring Canada's most iconic concert hall will continue hosting defining moments in our culture for generations to come," said Jesse Kumagai, president and CEO of the Corporation of Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall. "We are profoundly grateful for the Slaight Family Foundation's generosity and proud to honor a true Canadian broadcast legend."

(Photo credit: Arild Vågen, CC BY-SA 4.0)