Could Barrie’s next, new performing arts centre (PAC) morph into a community cultural hub?
That’s the recommendation of a new report that also says the hub would cost less to build and operate than a PAC, or retail entertainment centre, which relies mostly on live presentations.
“I think it’s in line with what we were thinking,” said Coun. Jim Harris, chairman of the city’s former PAC task force. “We want this place to be activated and involved and connected to our community. That’s really important. We want a place that’s active and busy.”
The hub would prioritizes a diverse range of uses and regular programming, rather than relying solely on a traditional retail entertainment centre model, be more widely accessible — as it would operate all day long, not just at performance time — and would feature a central commons area, a mid-size theatre, recital hall, screening room, multiple teaching and learning spaces, as well as arts offices.
Open houses on the proposal will be held both April 19 and 20, from 4-7 p.m., at Peggy Hill Team Community Centre at 171 Mapleton Ave.
Stephannie Schlichter, Barrie’s director of economic and creative development, said the city has retained Hariri Pontarini Architects (HPA) to review the task force’s recommendations — a maximum $53.1-million, 66,500-square-foot facility with 900- and 350-seat theatres, plus a 5,000-sq.-ft. multi-purpose room on the since-demolished W. A. Fisher auditorium site on Dunlop Street West.
“The work being completed by the consultants (HPA) will inform a complete report back to city council with a recommended project scope and costing estimates for council’s consideration,” she said.
The 14-page report or memo, from city staff, is part of tonight's (April 5) circulation list on the city's website, but not necessarily on the agenda.
Schlichter said Barrie’s 10-year capital plan includes forecasted funding for a performing arts centre, with a total allocation of $36 million, with the majority of funding being projected in the years 2025-28. Council approves the 10-year capital budget on an annual basis, but it’s subject to change.
“The upcoming public consultation sessions (April 19 and 20) are an opportunity for the consulting and design team to present the work they have completed to date and to present their preliminary design concepts of their preferred business model, and for the public to comment and provide feedback on the work to date of the consultants and their outcomes," she said.
Once those final recommendations are received from the consultants and reviewed by city staff, a report will be prepared for consideration by city councillors.
The city has $5 million in its theatre reserve fund, $2.5 million from each of the last two years. That amount is to go into the theatre reserve annually.
“That (reserve) was … to make sure the money was targeted for a performing arts centre or a theatre,” said Harris, who initiated the motion. “We don’t know what it’s going to cost exactly yet, but having money set aside and a commitment is an important first step.”
It’s expected the PAC or cultural hub would be funded on a one-third basis from federal, provincial and municipal governments, along with fundraising.
The report says a hub would be less expensive to build and to run than the PAC model.
"The capital cost of the cultural hub facility will be substantially lower, resulting in one-time savings of millions of dollars," the report says. "The net operating cost of the cultural hub will also be significantly lower than that of (the task force’s plan), resulting in annual recurring savings of hundreds of thousands of dollars."
A PAC or community hub would represent a significant investment in cultural and tourism amenities, the report says, contributing to the revitalization of a section of the downtown core which has been identified as a focus area for downtown revitalization. It also provides a convenient connection to the future market precinct being proposed for the Barrie Transit Terminal on Maple Avenue.
The task force’s key mandate was to develop a plan to construct a modern performing arts venue in the city’s core, to replace the Georgian Theatre and Fisher Auditorium.
But its recommendation — three public performance rooms with an 800- to 900-seat main theatre, 350-seat second theatre and a 5,000-sq.-ft. multi-purpose room — was deemed too large for the Barrie market.
For a PAC to be successful, the report says it should have a diversity of use, a place where something is happening every day — morning, noon and night — encouraging the community to use one or more aspects of performing arts.
The retail entertainment centre model is limited in its ability to achieve this goal because it is truly only active when a show is on, and it only caters to entertaining audiences, the report says.
So the consulting and design group recommends pursuing an alternative model — a community cultural hub — that prioritizes a diverse range of uses and regular programming, rather than relying solely on a traditional retail entertainment centre model.
