HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2015-02-12, Page 24PAGE 24. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2015.
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was where it needed to be.
“The one concern I have is
viability,” he said. “Once the
renovations are complete, it’s great
that we have that and the facility is
being run, but if the facility is losing
money and needs more upgrades or
fixes again, we’re back to square
one.
“From my perspective, I would
like to see a business plan or
something that says some
commitment is going to be viable,”
he said. “It’s great to raise and put
$100,000 into that theatre but the
question is are there other things that
could be used as that resource
without [the future costs the theatre
will require?] Nothing I’ve heard
today changes that skepticism
because of where we’re at and where
I’m at.”
Committee member Doug
Kuyvenhoven said there were some
considerable discussions by the
committee about the uses of the
theatre and the group’s goal was
simply to re-open the theatre.
“We don’t have a big plan for this
to become a cultural centre and drive
all kind of tourism to this area,” he
said. “This is a resource that this
community lacks. We already have
the elevator, seating and stage but
we’ve always lacked the air
conditioning system and because of
that in the best months of the year
the theatre is too hot and you can’t
use it.”
Kuyvenhoven said that, through
research, the group found the space
has better acoustics than any theatre
in the region and professionals like
to perform there so that should help.
“We don’t want to have a plan that
loses money but you don’t make
money with a cultural investment,”
he said. “You, at best, try to cover
costs and break even. We see this as
being a low-cost facility for the
community. Just turn on the heat or
air conditioning when it’s going to
be used.”
Kuyvenhoven explained how the
theatre would make money with
promoters and rental fees, but said
the main thrust of the project was to
provide the facility to the
community.
Vodden didn’t find Kuyvenhoven’s
response satisfactory, however.
“I don’t think this is all there
then,” he said. “I’m looking for a
group that will assist with managing
the theatre. Council will not make a
good impresario for organization
and advertising and that kind of
thing. We don’t have the manpower
or the skills. The important part of
this proposal is some idea of how a
group or somebody can organize
that kind of thing so that, on an
ongoing basis, there’s a conscience
development and management
process that’s going to make sure
things keep going. That isn’t a role
for this or any council.”
Kuyvenhoven said he didn’t see
council as being a promoter or
facilitator. He said he hoped there
would be a grass-roots, organic push
to make the facility viable.
Councillor Bill Knott asked if
there was anyone in the group, or its
network, that could help with
booking to make sure the theatre is
used and suggested they try and find
some way to make a connection with
people who want to use it.
Kuyvenhoven said they would take
that suggestion back to the
committee.
Vincent said he felt that
organizations like the Almost
Famous Players would make good
use of the space and other groups
would eventually migrate to using it
because it’s a good space.
“The stage up there is one of the
most solid I’ve ever been on,” he
said. “It’s a well-built period piece
from the 1800s and the character
hasn’t changed that much.”
Vincent felt it was too early to
strike a committee of council with
the existing group, saying he
would like to get staff’s input on the
issue.
“I think council understands the
wishes of this committee,” he said.
“We will put some effort between
council and staff to try and fulfill
those wishes... It would probably be
better to have a staff report to work
from before moving forward but I
am personally strongly behind [the
theatre committee].”
Newson requested a motion to
allocate time from the department to
meet with the theatre committee and
town hall employees to determine
the best course of action. Council
made the motion and approved it.
NH staff to work
with theatre group
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