After a decade of uncertainty, West Shore residents are wondering: will a local performing arts centre ever see the light of day?
Is there enough demand in the community for such a facility? And if it were to be built, would it be in Langford, Colwood or elsewhere on the West Shore? Who would pay how much and what would the total price tag be?
Uncertainty abounds, but Colwood Mayor Carol Hamilton said questions are slowly being answered. The time for a new arts facility centred in Greater VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 fastest-growing region may come sooner than later, she said.
B次元官网网址淚 think it will happen B次元官网网址� and I think it is good for the overall healthy community to have the diversity of entertainment,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淣ot everyone engages on sports fields, or hiking trails, or paddling in a canoe. If we can roll up our sleeves and make something happen, it could happen.B次元官网网址�
Her opinion is partly based on a 148-page feasibility study completed by Schick Shiner, a consulting firm specializing in art centres, galleries and cultural centres. The report, funded by Colwood and completed in March 2013, builds a case for the facility to be built on a one-acre parcel of land.
Proposed amenities would include a 650-seat theatre, a 200-seat B次元官网网址渂lack-boxB次元官网网址� theatre, a restaurant, studio space, art gallery, rehearsal space and more, for an estimated price of $35 million.
A citizen steering committee, led by Catharine Chase, was formed in 2014 to further research and review possible locations in Colwood. After eight months, the committee is ready to present its findings. Despite the multi-million dollar price tag, Chase also said the facility can be a reality.
B次元官网网址淪ome people say itB次元官网网址檚 so much money, but there is money available. ItB次元官网网址檚 just a matter of accessing it,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭here has been a need that was formally recognized in this community for a performing arts centre (as far back as) 2003, so that need has been growing.B次元官网网址�
The reportB次元官网网址檚 cost estimate does not include the cost of land or an estimated annual operating budget of $750,000. On the flip side, $16 million worth of construction jobs would be created and annual economic spin-offs to the tune of $3.2 million could be enjoyed by the community. Of the 18 facilities examined in the report, only one, the Isabelle Reader Theatre at Spencer middle school in Langford, is in the West Shore.
The vast majority of arts and performance facilities currently in Greater Victoria are in the city of Victoria, with other facilities sprinkled around the downtown core, such as the University of Victoria and Spectrum Community School theatre.
B次元官网网址淭he need is there; the many talents and many talented people in this community and beyond really deserve a facility like this,B次元官网网址� Chase said, adding it would also be an economic driver for the West Shore. B次元官网网址淭his will be a benefit for the economy and the arts, and benefit the community in sharing each othersB次元官网网址� cultural heritage and seeing growth there.B次元官网网址�
Chase points to a new performing arts centre in St. CatherineB次元官网网址檚, Ont. as a good example of what could be created here. While the 95,000-square-foot facility is much bigger and cost almost twice as much as the West Shore proposal, the financing model is one she hopes can be replicated locally.
The model uses a shared concept, with the provincial and federal governments kicking in a third of the cost to match funds raised by the community or contributed by municipal government(s) involved.
B次元官网网址淭o me this would be just an incredible part of our community. We want this to be known as a centre of excellence where we celebrate excellence and celebrate culture,B次元官网网址� Chase said. B次元官网网址淭hat, to me, is so important.B次元官网网址�
Two new theatres underway will provide short-term relief to the lack of venues. Royal Bay secondary in Colwood and the new Belmont secondary in Langford are building 350- and 300-seat theatres, respectively, to join the Reader Theatre as school and community use facilities starting in September.
Despite this, Oksana Dexter, a former cultural services manager in West Vancouver and the Centennial Theatre manager in North Vancouver said the dancers, actors, singers and performers have no place in the West Shore to graduate to.
B次元官网网址淧eople say if you build it, they will come B次元官网网址� for audiences, yes that is true,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淏ut for arts organizations, if you donB次元官网网址檛 have a (larger) place to perform, you canB次元官网网址檛 grow, flourish and expand creative potential. When you build a (dedicated) home for the arts community, there is a whole plethora of things that can occur B次元官网网址� There isnB次元官网网址檛 a community in the world where the first thing they want to do to celebrate is a Christmas concert, a musical or a dance and those things need a home.B次元官网网址�
Coming up in part 2 of the series: Finding a home for a new West Shore arts facility.
