Performing Arts Centre Study Detailed

By 250 News

Prince  George, B.C. – The feasibility study for a performing arts centre has been completed and  author Duncan Webb has  presented  several recommendations that support the construction of  such a facility.

Develop the following facilities in one or more locations:

• 600 -800 seat multi purpose venue for touring shows and community groups
• 200 -300 seat studio theater or recital hall
• Visual arts studios and galleries,
• Space for programs and teaching
• Support and production facilities for local arts organizations,
• Outdoor component for performances and special events
• Food service capabilities.

In his study, Webb says the available market for a “Regional Centre” would include;

The Regional Districts of Fraser Fort George, the Cariboo, and the Bulkley Nechako, adding up to about 193 thousand people. If the Peace Region is added in, that boosts the market size to just over 250 thousand people.  He says the market is large enough to  support  a  Performing Arts Centre.

Webb’s  study  not only  dealt with  potential user groups, but examined the existing facilities.  His study  indicates the demand exceeds the  supply and that Prince George  could cash in on the  entertainment  travelling the highway 16 corridor.

 The inventory of existing facilities suggests the condition  of most is  fair, with only the  Treasure Cove Casino, the CN Centre,  the P.G. Civic Centre,  and Prince George Playhouse  scoring a "Good condition" rating.  There were NO facilities in Prince George listed as being in excellent condition.

Webb looked at several facilities in comparable communities, including the Port Theater in Nanaimo, the Sagebrush Theater in Kamloops, Kelowna Community Theater, and the River Run Centre in Guelph Ontario.

Webb says the benefits of  such a centre are numerous as  such a facility could  be a positive for downtown and  would be another step towards  economic diversification and increased cultural tourism, catalyst for downtown economic development, and  provide new opportunities for  education.

Webb  says the next step in the process will start next month  and that will  begin the preliminary facility programs and a capital cost estimates for a  facility. Then, there will be site selection for one or more sites,  followed by a business plan.  All that work will be completed  in the next 4-5 months.  "We're not waiting to the very end to find out what the price tag's going to be, we need to  see what is appropriate for the community of Prince George."  He says that could mean renting existing spaces, phasing in the development, "There are lots of options."

Webb says the trend today is moving away from the "cultural palace" and a cluster of buildings may be the way to go as  he says they are less "elitist".

Webb says  the  construction of  new facilities won't hurt existing  facilities "Thee is more demand than facilities, so this won't hurt anything that already exists".  While the   price tag has yet to be  established,  Webb  says  this kind of project can   find  what he calls " new pots of money". 

In his list of  possible "partners", he named  the University, the College and the School District,  which all rely on  tax payer dollars.

Tomorrow evening, Consultant Duncan Webb  will be available to present the material to the public.  That meeting is set  to take place at the  Prince George Public Library  at 7:30 in the evening in the Keith Gordon room..

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