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The City of Prince Albert honours Margo Fournier's name and legacy by renaming the Prince Albert Arts Centre (located at 1010 Central Avenue) to the Margo Fournier Arts Centre.
This renaming provides the continued recognition of the legacy of Margo Fournier to our City after the sale of the Margo Fournier Centre (located at 1211 1st Avenue West) to the Prince Albert Grand Council, Urban Services. Margo Fournier made exceptional contributions to our community:
- Margo was an accomplished and engaged Musician who served in WWII as an entertainer in song and dance. Margo was a member of the “All Clear” Canadian Air Force Show and performed for the Canadian and Allied troops in Canada and overseas. Margo was decorated with three medals for her service.
- Upon return to Prince Albert, Margo became the Founder and director of the Prince Albert Boys’ Choir. Under Margo’s direction and pursuit of excellence, the Choir went on to earn National and International acclaim. It was Margo’s objective that each participant in the program excels in developing both personal artistic expression and character as an engaged member of a culturally dynamic community. As a direct result of these experiences, some Choir members went on to win Provincial and National recognition as soloists, members, and directors of university and community choirs.
- For many years, Margo coached swimming and diving at Prince Albert’s Multi-Purpose Recreation Centre (the Centre became known as the Margo Fournier Centre). Many of Margo’s swimmers and divers became outstanding and responsible community leaders.
- Margo taught music to student nurses, boys, and girls, at the Margo Fournier Centre and St. Mary’s High School. Margo also conducted choirs, including the Penitentiary inmates’ choir.
- Margo founded the Prince Albert Music Festival Association and was President of the local branch of Jeunesses Musicales, which brought Canadian and internationally acclaimed musicians to Prince Albert for several years.
- In the 1960’s, Margo was named Prince Albert’s Citizen of the Year. Margo was appointed the only woman to the Saskatchewan Youth Review and Advisory Commission in 1965. The Commission made major recommendations to the Provincial Government regarding developing Saskatchewan’s youth.
- For her work with youth through music, she was presented the Optimist Club Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music and the Award of Merit by both the Saskatchewan and Canadian Parks and Recreation Associations.
- In 1983, Margo was inducted into the Order of Canada, Canada’s highest civilian honour, for her work with youth in music and for her contribution to the development of musical education in the community of Prince Albert.
“We are so pleased to rename the Prince Albert Arts Centre to the Margo Fournier Arts Centre to continue to honour the contributions of Margo Fournier and the Fournier family to our community, especially to music and the arts which we all benefit from.”, said Mayor Greg Dionne
“Margo’s family and friends of the family are honoured that the City Of Prince Albert is acknowledging Margo Fournier and the arts in this way. Margo was a proponent of the arts, and her passion influenced and engaged many others over the years. Her legacy continues through her children, grandchildren, the people she worked with, and those she taught,” says Danny Fournier. “Margo always believed in and fought for the importance of music and the arts in this community. She shared her time, talent and passion to enhance the lives of others. We are proud that her contributions continue to be appreciated and celebrated.”
The Prince Albert Arts Centre is a national historical landmark and is formally recognized by the City of Prince Albert as a Municipal Heritage Property. The Facility was constructed in 1893 and formerly served as the Prince Albert Town Hall and Opera House. The facility currently serves as a thriving arts facility offering a variety of arts, crafts, music, culture, and other creative opportunities for all members of our community. The Arts Centre’s programs and services can be found on the City’s website www.citypa.ca.
A dedication event for the renaming will be planned for Spring 2024.
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For more media inquiries, please contact:
Judy MacLeod Campbell
Arts & Cultural Coordinator
Community Services
306 953-4884
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