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| Scott Korbett at public information session |
Pincher Creek Rotary Club held a public information session in the Ranchland Mall on Tuesday, April 8 regarding Rotary's proposal to build a performance arts theatre in Pincher Creek, to be attached to St. Michael's School. The two hour meeting was hosted by Rotary president elect Scott Korbett. Approximately 50 people attended, and there was a high level of participation in the discussion. Some of the questions and issues brought forward were:
- Does it have to be attached to a school?
- Other placement alternatives
- Costs and funding
- Affect to local taxes
- Timelines
- Community input/availability, and access to information
- Who is going to run it?
- Long term viability
Korbett did offer some answers and possible solutions during the session, but explained repeatedly that he was there to gather information from the community, to examine the viability of the idea, and to refine planning.
There were a number of strong supporters for the idea, some were against it, and some wanted to understand what the plan is currently and what could change in the future.
Placement
A number of people said they were concerned with the placement of the proposed facility. It was suggested that there were other structures that it could be attached to instead of St. Michael's, such as the community hall or library/recreation building, or as a stand alone building. Concerns voiced included it being a community structure on school grounds, it being attached to a Catholic school, the possibility it could be a divisive issue between area schools,whether this would give St. Michael's an edge for enrollment and funding, whether alcohol could be served, and whether St. Michael's would feel the need to exercise censorship or veto rights over programming.
Korbett said that Rotary, the Town, and the MD of Pincher Creek met over a year ago about building a performing arts theatre and discussed a number of venues that could be appropriate, including the Pincher Creek Community Hall, the Recreation/Library building, and as a stand-alone building.
According to Korbett St. Michael's School was not one of the options on the table at that time. He said that it could still go in any one of those places, but if so the project would have to start again at the beginning. He said the Holy Spirit School Division (which administers St. Michael's) wants to be at arms length from the running and operation of the theatre, saying the Town of Pincher Creek would be in charge of booking the theatre if a joint agreement were to be structured the same way as a similar one that is currently in place between City of Lethbridge and the Holy Spirit School Division.
Korbett expressed what he saw as some of the positives of building the theatre at St. Michael's. He said there is an architect working on the St. Michael's renovation project now, it has a definite timeline for completion, and he speculated there could be some kind of condo agreement with the school to share in some the ongoing costs. He said the St. Michael's timeline for the proposed project is to have the structure done and operational by September of 2016 when upgrades to the school are expected to be completed.
Usage and management
Legalities, partnership statement of commitment agreement, joint use agreements, rentals, rehearsal space, who would run it, what would be shared costs between the school and the theatre, and who would do the booking were brought forward as questions.
Korbett said at this point in time the project is not guaranteed, explaining that if it is to move forward the Pincher Creek Rotary Club would enter into a partnership agreement with the Holy Spirit School Division for the creation of the building, and for that to happen there would have to be strong community support of the venture. A joint use agreement for community use of the theatre would also have to be drafted. He said Rotary will be obtaining legal advice through these processes. Once the theatre is operational, booking the space would most likely be taken over by the Town of Pincher Creek.
A suggestion was made that a foundation could be formed to run the theatre, an idea Korbett found to be attractive.
Competition
Concerns were raised about possible competition for school enrollment, competition with existing events facilities in Pincher Creek, competition for entertainment revenue and acts, and competition for possible grant funding.
Korbett said he was a little surprised to hear concerns about the possibility the facility could affect competition for school enrollments. "I would like to look at it in a different way: If we create an environment of growth were we are attracting more people to the community because of the services we offer and the stuff we have to give back to the community, would that not alleviate that problem?"
Viability
The financial viability of the project was discussed, including initial costs, marketing plans, grants, fee structures, and how it might affect the local tax base.
Korbett was confident that the initial capital can be raised. "If we know that we've got to do it, we will find a way to get it done. I have seen this community rally and raise that kind of money. We can do it. But we've got to want it." He said that at this point there is no marketing plan in place. "A theatre is not a money making venture, I would challenge whether even the Broadway theatres are money making ventures. This is a cultural service. I will tell you flat out, this thing is not going to make any money. Some organizations may make money off of an event that they host there, but this building is going to require money." He said the plan of partnering with the school will help alleviate some of those costs and relieve some of the tax burden.
Community priorities
"The family community support service funding pool has been totally spent for 2014," said Family and Community Support Services coordinator David Green, who elaborated that the Town and MD joint funding for 2014 has also been committed. "I would like to believe that we are a community that are willing to address some priority needs, rather than wants." He brought up transportation, food security, and housing. "I always hope that those priority projects that deal with the entire cross section of our socio-economic fabric come first... in this community, rather than needs."
Korbett agreed that a theatre was not a need, but was a luxury that he said would make this a more attractive area to live in for a wide range of people. Attendee Dr. Jered Van Bussel wanted to address the issue as well. "Unlimited money does not fix some of the social problems that happen that create poverty, that create the structure within the community. If all of our focus is always on trying to fix a swath of the population, it still will not work. Part of what makes a community lively, that looks out for people, is the opportunity for exploration of these issues." He said a theatre is a great place to create that exploration.
Kirby Dietze, Susan Vogalaar, Jered Van Bussel, and Lena Derie-Gillespie all talked about community theatres that they have seen elsewhere. They talked about how they were used in the community, and what made them work. "We need to look at other towns, other communities that are doing it already, and see what their success is," said Vogelaar.
"Some of the examples here that have been really good and successful are because there is a lot of management put into it," said Sahra Hancock. "A lot of grant writing, people really connected within the arts communities that can draw those big names, and network."
"Let's make this a community building experience, not a community dividing experience," said Muriel McPherson.
"The family community support service funding pool has been totally spent for 2014," said Family and Community Support Services coordinator David Green, who elaborated that the Town and MD joint funding for 2014 has also been committed. "I would like to believe that we are a community that are willing to address some priority needs, rather than wants." He brought up transportation, food security, and housing. "I always hope that those priority projects that deal with the entire cross section of our socio-economic fabric come first... in this community, rather than needs."
Korbett agreed that a theatre was not a need, but was a luxury that he said would make this a more attractive area to live in for a wide range of people. Attendee Dr. Jered Van Bussel wanted to address the issue as well. "Unlimited money does not fix some of the social problems that happen that create poverty, that create the structure within the community. If all of our focus is always on trying to fix a swath of the population, it still will not work. Part of what makes a community lively, that looks out for people, is the opportunity for exploration of these issues." He said a theatre is a great place to create that exploration.
Kirby Dietze, Susan Vogalaar, Jered Van Bussel, and Lena Derie-Gillespie all talked about community theatres that they have seen elsewhere. They talked about how they were used in the community, and what made them work. "We need to look at other towns, other communities that are doing it already, and see what their success is," said Vogelaar.
"Some of the examples here that have been really good and successful are because there is a lot of management put into it," said Sahra Hancock. "A lot of grant writing, people really connected within the arts communities that can draw those big names, and network."
"Let's make this a community building experience, not a community dividing experience," said Muriel McPherson.
Korbett said he was open to suggestions, and explained he will be taking all of the feedback back to Rotary to share with the club, to help refine the ideas. "We are so preliminary, it would be unfair to say that we have all the answers."
"I thought it was a warm reception this evening. I'm very optimistic," Korbett said after the meeting was finished. "There was great new information brought forward, that we had not thought of, or thought of, that we can look at more closely. This was an important step."
"I thought it was a warm reception this evening. I'm very optimistic," Korbett said after the meeting was finished. "There was great new information brought forward, that we had not thought of, or thought of, that we can look at more closely. This was an important step."
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