Nanaimo city council has attached new terms to its $4.6-million contract to the Port Theatre’s expansion project – this month they’ll decide if it sticks.
Council will consider revised terms for its multimillion-dollar funding commitment to a new community performing arts centre this month.
Politicians promised $4.6 million, as well as a $2-million line of credit in 2014 for the Port Theatre Society’s new endeavor, a $12.6-million addition that includes studio space for an 800-seat theatre. The money would be released to the non-profit once it raised the balance, or more than $8 million.
In an open meeting last week, city manager Tracy Samra revealed council has made an in-camera motion, but it's proved problematic for the organization to fundraise. A revised motion was pitched in public Monday.
According to Samra, the in-camera motion says the theatre needs to be committed to fundraise as much as it can, raise more than the cost of the project and when it earns more, reimburse the city as much of the $4.6 million as it can.
Council did not rise and report on the motion, Samra said, but added it has now been put into the public domain as a result of the conversation and questions.
“In camera, after deliberations council wanted to put more structure and rigor around the obligation to fund, they did so. That was problematic for the Port Theatre in raising their funds because the way it was written was saying you have to raise 100 per cent of the funding,” said Samra in an address to the general public. “When you attach that motion to a funder they wouldn't even consider you for that, which is why [the Port Theatre] was invited to give an alternative version of what that is.”
The revision, considered similar to what was passed in-camera, offers the Port Theatre Society the $4.6-million contribution if it agrees to raise up to $8.6 million, or contribute 60 per cent of financing required to complete the project, explores and pursues all funding opportunities from federal and provincial funds and reimburses the city 100 per cent of its contribution if it raises more than the targeted $8.6 million.
Coun. Wendy Pratt said the motion “really does put more onus on the Port Theatre” and believes that is good for the city. Several councillors, including Jerry Hong and Ian Thorpe said the motion offers protection for the city.
“The city has already agreed to support the Port Theatre in the terms expressed and as several people pointed out all this revised motion does is provide more protection to the city so we are not left on the hook, which was a concern before,” Thorpe said.
Council did not make a decision on the motion, deciding to postpone it until a council meeting on April 18 to allow for public input. A staff report is expected on all three motions – the original, the in-camera and the proposed revision.
Samra told council the report will look at "do you even want to do this?" and the amount of investment. "This reopens it," she said.