CHRISTIAN — Predictable backlash to arts centre price tag
By COUN. KEN CHRISTIAN
FROM CITY HALL (COLUMN) — There has been a predictable backlash to the sticker price of the performing-arts centre (PAC) proposed for the old Kamloops Daily News property on Seymour Street.
Coun. Ken Christian
Ninety million dollars is a lot of money on any scale but, in Kamloops, it seems to be over the threshold most are prepared to spend. Comments to me are tracking two to one against such an expenditure.
I will accept the result of a referendum this fall and, if it is turned down, I would suggest the cultural strategic plan that envisioned the PAC be revisited.
After all, it was written in 2002, 13 years ago, which can be a lifetime ago in the arts and entertainment industry.
My hope is that, regardless of the referendum results, those votes are cast by an informed electorate. Much work is left to be done in that regard.
Last week at council, I sought clarification on what a performing-arts centre is and isn’t.
It is not a new site for the Kamloops Museum and Archives (although I believe we will need one some day). It is not a new home for Western Canada Theatre. It is not a new science centre (although the notion of arts and sciences in one room appeals to me).
It is not a convention centre. It is not a new art gallery. It does not have elaborate food-service capacity. At its core, the PAC is a new performance venue for local, provincial and national artists to practise their craft and entertain their audiences.
It will not replace Pavilion or Sagebrush theatres, but will expand and enhance arts and cultural opportunity for Kamloops performers and audiences.
To me, that spells improved livability.
Many established arts and cultural groups have been consulted for many months over the proposal, including the Kamloops Arts Council, Kamloops Art Gallery, Kamloops Symphony Orchestra, Western Canada Theatre, Kamloops Museum and Archives, dance academies, Theatre BC, Kamloops Film Society, Kamloops Festival and Kamloops Interior Summer School of Music.
They all say there is a serious shortage of quality performance space for homegrown talent.
The other aspect to the discussion is the use of a PAC to attract acts and entertainers that are currently bypassing Kamloops for want of an opening in a venue or a venue that is adaptable and suitable to their performance needs. Council has asked for that aspect of the report to be further investigated in consultation with event promoters.
A significant number of local residents seek out events in Kelowna, Vancouver or Calgary. Some of that revenue could possibly be repatriated and the potential for new visitor nights in Kamloops to be generated needs more work.
Yes, this is expensive, but I believe it is in line with current construction costs.
Royal Inland Hospital’s parkade is $80 million and a replacement school at South Kamloops secondary is estimated at $50 million.
We also need to remember the $90-million figure includes property acquisition and a 350-stall downtown parkade. That leaves a true cost closer to $60 million — still big bucks, but becoming more reasonable.
Given the financing and accrual options proposed in the report, it is going to work out to about $40 per year on the average household.
I believe that is affordable and I believe I would likely use such a facility a couple of times a year, if not more. For others, that is not an affordable amount and they likely never see themselves using a PAC.
We have a lot more to learn about this project, but we need to have a spirited discussion and a strong referendum turnout to definitively answer the question and shape our collective vision for the future.
Ken Christian is a Kamloops City councillor. He can be contacted at kchristian@kamloops.ca.
ArmchairMayor.ca 
Sorry, but that does not wash. 1200 seats is not going to attract more performances, especially the ones that will require a much bigger amount of money that 1200 seats will come no where close to raising. If these are smaller acts that are passing Kamloops by, and don’t want to use the Sage Brush, then there must be other reasons than having no PAC. Councillors are starting to sound desperate. Why is spending this money so important to them ?
LikeLike
Mr. Christian wants a spirited discussion and strong referendum on a PAC, but no discussion at all when Mr. Ugo Lapointe from MiningWatch Canada was denied an appearance before council? I would rather see a discussion about something that will for sure affect every resident of Kamloops than a PAC, which so many will never see the inside of. How do we know for sure that many of the people who are involved in the arts will not be leaving Kamloops once the mine gets going? If the photo of the Quebec mine is anything like Ajax will be, then I would think that may be the case.
LikeLike
That is actually my first thought! Who cares if Kamloops decides to have an arts centre if we are going to move out of the city due to the proximity of the Ajax mine. It is crazy that the one thing that is the most important issue facing the city is the one thing council has decided not to listen or talk about! Total failure of leadership!!
LikeLike
Appreciate Mr Christian’s comments, but in regards to his comment that $40 is affordable for each household. Don’t forget that many individuals, young and old are living on a fixed income.
LikeLike
The $40. may be affordable, but the price of tickets for most any show these days is quite high. Although every household is expected to pay higher taxes for a PAC, many will be unable to afford to attend.
LikeLike