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Theatre guild concerned with loss of funding and parts of arts centre By Liz Dadson |
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The Kincardine Theatre Guild is a major stakeholder in the arts centre (old town hall) and guild members are concerned about losing the funding for upkeep of the building and losing parts of the structure when it's renovated. That's the word from Lorraine Needham, representing the guild, and speaking to Kincardine council during the public forum portion of the meeting Wednesday night (April 7). "We are a small group of volunteers who bring theatre to the community from September to June each year," she said. "A Kincardine Theatre Guild play draws anywhere from 800 to 1,800 people into each run of the play - local people who come back time and again." She said the theatre guild pays its bills on time and gives back to the community in many ways. "We understand that council has decided to withdraw money from the $1-million earmarked for building a new facility, to put toward the million-dollar facelift to the arts centre," said Needham. "I'm sure you are aware that the interest from that fund is used to pay for the annual maintenance of the building. Reducing this fund by $300,000 to $400,000 will impact interest earned and the available funds to manage the ongoing costs of the arts centre. Today, there is never funding left over to cover upkeep and repair of the facility." She said the guild is concerned about where the money will come from to pay for the building maintenance. "No doubt, the costs will fall to the taxpayer in the long-run anyway, so the idea of using those funds to protect the taxpayer is short-sighted." The guild is also concerned that the renovation plan will see current parts of the building demolished, including the box office for the Bluewater Summer Playhouse, the old fire hall where the theatre guild builds its sets, and the shelter on the park side which would leave actors exposed to the elements when moving from the dressing room to the stage."Taking money from that $1-million arts fund closes the door on a vision that we can make a reality - build a new arts centre for Kincardine and the surrounding area," said Needham. "Once you've broken open the piggy bank, there is no stopping the withdrawal of funds. We need to be disciplined and look to the future." She urged council to consider how it will manage the ongoing maintenance of the arts centre, including interior upgrades. "Inside, it's a dingy, old facility in need of repair," she said. "In the case of the arts centre, a pretty face isn't all it's cracked up to be. And that is exactly what it will be - pretty to look at on the outside, but lacking functionality with limited use and in dire need of repair on the inside."
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The theatre guild has been a major stakeholder in this building for 28
years, said Needham. "We need to be included in all discussions on the
next steps for the arts centre. Later in the meeting, councillor Kenneth Craig said he was frustrated that during the public forum portion of the meeting, council is unable to discuss the issue brought forward, such as the theatre guild's concerns. He plans to bring a notice of motion to change that procedure so discussion can take place at the time the matter is presented. Deputy mayor Laura Haight disagreed, saying council is not prepared to discuss matters brought up at public forum so they are moved to a later meeting where they can be properly discussed. She noted that the concerns about funding the arts centre maintenance came up during budget talks and she had pointed out that the municipality should be looking at a proper subsidy level for art and culture. Mayor Larry Kraemer said the old fire hall is not being removed from the arts centre, nor is the Bluewater Summer Playhouse box office, despite the architect's drawing. "It will be a decision of council what stays and what goes," said Craig. Council agreed to send the theatre guild's concerns to the arts centre committee for discussion.
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