| THE UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY
began a much-needed physical expansion in 1990, as space for many disciplines was limited, especially for music and dance. Looking ahead to the day when students would have the proper room to practice and perform, the President at that time, Dr. Murray Fraser, began developing his dream and vision. When he approached Drs. Theodore and Lola Rozsa for their ideas and support, it quickly became their vision as well. They agreed to provide the seed money for the new building. So the project began, but was not completed until 1997, arriving at the same time as the new Ph.D. programme in music. The Rozsas were honoured to have the building named "The Rozsa Centre" (informally known as "Lola's place"). All funding for the building ($7.6 million in total) came from the private sector, our donation being 3.5 million. The Rozsa Centre is a multifunctional facility with a 385 seat recital hall and venue for conferences and symposia, home to both the Faculty of Fine Arts and the International Centre. This partnership aims to create a better and more compassionate world through the inspiration that music and the arts provide, and through the dialogue that leads to understanding among peoples. Intended as both a teaching and performance facility, Niels Jordan's acoustical design has made the Eckhardt-Gramatte Hall one of the finest chamber music halls in Canada, if not North America. The Centre also houses a state of the art recording studio, and will be home to a future dance studio theatre. In 1998, the Rozsa Centre was voted "the best new building in Alberta" by top architects across Canada. We congratulate the design firm of CPV Group Architects & Engineers Ltd. Lola Rozsa concludes: "The Centre has given many students a place to perform and assist them in their plans for the future. It has been host to business seminars, music competitions and other events, and is used daily. We are very gratified to see the response of the students and public, as well to know that in this way we have been able to give back something for all." |