The Capital Regional District (CRD) is seeking approval to launch a new Performing Arts Facilities Service (PAFS) in Greater Victoria.
Essentially, the proposed service would be designed to provide funding to the region’s three regional theatres: the Charlie White Theatre (inside the Mary Winspear Centre), the Royal Theatre and the McPherson Playhouse.
Furthermore, it would help to develop additional theatres, focussing on the West Shore area.
As per the CRD’s corporate plan, a PAFS would allow residents to have access to “appropriate and affordable arts and recreation opportunities that enhance quality of life.”
If approved, the new PAFS would be expected to address funding levels for the Royal Theatre and McPherson Playhouse that have been stagnant since the 1960s, address the lack of planning and funding coordination between theatres, improve access to local theatre companies and support youth and educational initiatives.
Furthermore, the service would need to establish equitable cost-sharing in the region and strengthen programming at theatres in the region.
A PAFS would cost the CRD around $2.3 million per year, and would absorb the $1.35 million annual budget that is currently spent on the Royal Theatre Service and McPherson Playhouse Service.
The increase of roughly $1 million would then go towards grants, operations support and maintenance of the Charlie White Theatre in the Mary Winspear Centre.
In order to approve this initiative, the CRD must launch an alternative approval process (AAP).
AAPs must be employed if a service levy or incur long-term debt will be incurred by an endeavour.
Through the AAP, electors in the community can indicate whether they object to the creation of the new service for performing arts facilities.
Unless at least 10% of electors in the service area (31,574) indicate they oppose the creation of the service, the CRD can implement the new service.
If over 10% oppose the endeavour, the service could only be considered with the support of a referendum.
As this initiative seeks to improve access to performing arts for all capital region communities, all CRD electors will be able to have a say, including those on the Southern Gulf Islands.
The AAP process response period opened on February 17th and ends on March 30th. In April, the CRD will reveal the AAP results.
More information on the PAFS and how to respond to the AAP is available via the CRD’s theatres webpage.
