Indian River Festival buys building

P.E.I.'s premier summer music festival has purchased the historic church that has been its home since its founding in 1996.

The Indian River Festival is also receiving $360,000, split evenly between the province and federal government, for renovations to St. Mary's Church in Indian River. The church was decommissioned in September as part of downsizing in parishes across the Island.

Festival chair Ren Hurtubise told CBC News on Wednesday that having certainty about the festival's home is a relief.

"We'll remain in charge of calling the shots, if you want, about how that building will be restored. That's important for us," said Hurtubise.

"It won't change a whole lot for the festival. I think it just ensures a little more of the future of the festival and the future of the building for the community as well, because that's a building that's very significant to the community and we want to preserve it."

Festival organizers paid $85,000 for the century-old building, designed by renowned Island architect William Critchlow Harris.

Repairs to the roof, exterior walls, doors and windows will take just over a year.