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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1981-05-06, Page 7Performing Arts Foundation u Dear Editor, Since the general public has had little information about the activities of the Goderich Performing Arts Foundation during the past year, the executive of the Foundation would like to speak to that concern. Doubts have also been .ex- pressed recently that it is possible for a non-profit organization and a corporate identity to work in harmony. It is our aim to respond to the community with an updated summary of ,the .work that has been done over the past while to negotiate the prospective sale of the Lavery building. The former Polley's Livery Stable and vacant adjacent lot are still the property of the Foundation. As recently reported in the Goderich Signal -Star, the Sylvester and Associates group confirn'fed that a letter of intent to purchase had been sent to the Foundation and that the prospective brayer has felt obliged to cover certain capital costs over the past year. It was also stated that further delays regarding financing were to be anticipated. Going back to the fail of 1979, as was expected, the announcement �"that ,��the ownersownersof t•he Hotel Bedford' would seek ownership of the Livery building" im- mediately curtailed fund raising possibilities by the . non-profit organization. Even though the prospective buyers were intending to renovate the Livery in concert with the aims of the Foundation, and to make it available to the community for activities surrounding the performing and visual arts, until a firm contract or offer of purchase had been struck and the details made known to the public, approaches to possible sponsors -could- not continue. At that time, the mortgage on the property became available at a discount and its purchase by the District Trust Company was arranged by the Sylvester and Associates group in anticipation of the imminent purchase of the property. In April 1980 six members of the Goderich Performing Arts Foundation were in- vited to a meeting with four representatives of the in- vestment group. Both price and conditions of sale were agreed upon in general terms. That marked the first substantial step towards business and the arts ffoorking together on this `revel here in Goderich. Since that meeting, each of the 12 months that have passed have brought delays preventing the presentation of a lfirm offer of purchase encompassing„,�the details of those verbal discussions: It has been expressed by the prospective buyers that they are most anxious to com- mence construction and in fact have gone so far as to have complete drawings prepared by Trevor Gar- wood -Jones, architect for the hotel renovations. These plans are meant to even- tually replace the budget:- restricted, udgewrestricted, bare -bones design completed by Hill and Borgal for the Foundation in 1980. The new plans are to encompass a - physical connection with the Hotel Bedford and afford larger seating capacity. However, to date the Foundation has not had an opportunity to view the final plans, Further, we repeat that as an actual offer to purchase has not been received, it is not possible for any renovations or constrcution to commence on the Foun- dation's property. To con- firm our aim of protecting the interests of the potential users of the facility, should the sale occur, we list the conditions of sale that were discussed with the Sylvester. and Associates group at the meeting in April 1980. Although a year has passed, these remain to be the primary concerns when releasing ownership of the property, but gaining the much needed support enabling a more spaceous accommodation than what was previously envisioned to be possible. During negotiations of sale, captial costs would be covered by the Sylvester and Associates group. -The total capital costs would establish the price that the Foundation would ask, with a final accounting to be done by financial statement prior to closing. -Those costs having been covered by the investment group would be deducted at the time of closing. -A legal offer to purchase was to have been presented by the end of April 1980. -Approximately 100 days annually be made available to the Foundation or g-rou;o:� and individuals for activities surrounding the performing and visual arts. -A facility management board be established with members from the Goderich Performing Arts Foundation and the Hotel Bedford to act in an advisory capacity to the owners of the building. -The Foundation would supply $25,000 in portable equipment. -A representative of the Foundation be involved in the interior space planning of the proposed arts centre as it would be expected that changes to the existing plan' would be required. Establishing the price of sale by totalling the capital costs incurred until the closing would insure that the original donations would then be available to the Foundation for the, purchase of the equipment. Thebasic concerns of both. entities have at this point only been agreed to in general terms and it will take a legally binding con- tract to protect the interests of both parties. .The negotiating committee for dates townsfolk the Foundation has atso considered a long range pian of protecting access to the focally by requesting a further condition of sale which would bind a sub- sequent owner to such a contract, should the current Hotel owners decide to sell the complex. All the relevant depart- ments -,of- the Ontario government and numerous corporations have been most supportive of the Goderich Performing Arts Foun- dation. -The Ontario Arts Council is anxious to commence programming assistance. -The Ontario Heritage Foundation has pledged $30,000 to restore the building and arrangements have been made to have this conditional grant tran- sferred to the new owners, upon granting an easement to the Corporation of the Town of Godericb. -Imperial--Oii has pledged - $1,500 for audiovisual equipment pending the culmination of our required agreement with the prospective owners of the building. -The Wintario conditional commitment of 50 per cent 86111 GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1981—PAGE 7 funding for the portable equipment is currently in jeopardy because of delays in commencement of con- struction and the inability of the Foundation to provide details relative to specifications and the required agreement outlining use and main- tenance of this equipnrient and the confirmation that the portable equipment would remain the property of the Foundation. 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