To the Editor,
Re: Management group pulls out of Centre Stage, April 1.
Unfortunately an overbearing self-importance gave Centre for the Arts Nanaimo a sense of privilege and in the end it has forced city fathers to rightfully lower the curtain. For over five years, little business savvy was shown nor an eagerness to raise much revenue on its own. Repeated presentations to council clearly demonstrated a bulldozer mindset to rely on city money.
If this debacle teaches city councillors and staff anything, it is that small lobby groups must not control the city’s purse strings.
The repeated encore performances to council cost taxpayers way too much money.
George OliverNanaimo
To the Editor,
Re: Management group pulls out of Centre Stage, April 1.
I am dumbfounded city staff recommended council send out a request for proposals to manage Nanaimo Centre Stage.
Engineers’ reports paid for by the city have pointed to the need for at least $925,000 in repairs to the dilapidated building’s exterior and that has not even addressed any seismic upgrades or hazardous material abatement. All this money in addition to the $500,000 of city taxes used to buy the structure.
The logical thing for council to do is sell the bad investment and recover whatever money can be scraped back. Centre Stage has been a drain on taxpayers.
Ursula C. KnightNanaimo