The Chilliwack Cultural Centre will be able to upgrade the sound system in the main theatre thanks to $15,526 in federal funding announced by Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon MP Mark Strahl on Tuesday.

The money from the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage will allow the Chilliwack Arts and Cultural Centre Society to purchase specialized sound equipment for the 584-seat theatre.

"Our government recognizes the importance of investing in cultural spaces in our communities," Strahl said in a press release. "We are pleased to support important facilities like the Chilliwack Cultural Centre because it serves as a community hub for residents."

Centre director Michael Cade thanked the government for the funding.

"The funding allows local community performing arts groups and professional touring artists the opportunity to perform at the Centre without the need to rent expensive microphones every time they mount a dramatic or musical theatre production," Cade said.

The Chilliwack Arts and Cultural Centre Society manages the Chilliwack Cultural Centre on behalf of the City of Chilliwack. The Canada Cultural Spaces Fund "seeks to improve physical conditions for artistic creativity and arts presentations or exhibitions. It is also designed to increase access for Canadians to performing arts, visual arts, media arts, museum collections and heritage displays."