Performing arts groups are upset with Brantford council’s decision to redirect money for a mid-sized theater to the proposed $140-million sports entertainment centre.
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“To be blunt, we are shocked and disheartened and upset at the lack of transparency by the city and the lack of consultation on the city’s plan to redirect those funds to the SEC,” Lorna Stratton of the Brant Performing Arts told councilors at the Oct 29 meeting of city council.
The performing arts organization, a collective of non-profit groups, has long advocated for a mid-sized performance venue, Stratton said.
The city had previously committed $635,000 a year over 10 years to Wilfrid Laurier University for a new mid-sized performance theater in the Market Square. However, councilors have voted to redirect those funds to support the new sports entertainment centre.
“It is disheartening that commitments made in the municipal culture plan of 2014 are being ignored and feedback from performing arts organizations haven’t been taken into consideration,” Stratton said.
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At present, local theater companies are forced to hold performances in church basements and community halls because there isn’t anything else available. That means theater companies have to move their sets and equipment from one location to another making it difficult to create a following for a show. Storage of sets and equipment is also problematic.
The municipally-owned and operated Sanderson Center seats 1,100 people and is too large and too expensive for most groups. It is often booked for bigger shows.
Work to establish a mid-sized theater to accommodate between 205 and 500 patrons began in 2017 but plans have yet to come to produce results.
Councilors at Tuesday’s (Oct. 29) meeting voted to move forward with the financial plan for the Sports Entertainment Centre. They did not, as requested by Stratton, return the redirected money back to the mid-size theater.
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However, Mayor Kevin Davis said moving ahead with the SEC doesn’t preclude establishment of a mid-sized performing arts center.
Davis said city officials will soon be meeting with Laurier representatives.
“They’d like to discuss a small, medium-sized performing arts center to see if there might be other options that might be more economical, or financially feasible for both the city and Laurier,” Davis said. “So there will be ongoing discussions with Laurier that could well result in there being a partnership with Laurier to construct or establish a small performing arts center.
“It might not be the same as what was originally contemplated but there will be more to come after we meet.”
Several advisors, including Gino Caputo, spoke in support of a new theater.
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“My stance on the sports entertainment center has not changed,” Caputo said. “It is a must for the city.”
But, Caputo said he also wants a performing arts facility to provide opportunities for everyone, Caputo said.
Coun. Dan McCreary said he also supports the sports entertainment center because it is something that is good for the community in terms of pride and talking points.
“I want to repeat something that was said to me earlier tonight and that is ‘why don’t you do for arts and culture what you’ve done for sports?’” McCreary said. “I agree with a lot of the people in the arts and culture community who think that it’s high time we did something proper and something that’s equivalent to what we’ve done for sport in this community.”
McCreary said there have been discussions among councilors to direct city staff to come up with a plan for an arts and culture facility to meet the needs of local groups.
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