To the Editor,
Re: More theatre subsidies make no sense, Letters, Feb. 4.
In taking aim at the Port Theatre, John Peterson is firing at windmills while trumpeting the leadership of Sir Donald. His do or die business model ignores the fact that many businesses are subsidized either directly or through tax ‘initiatives’.
The Port Theatre is a well-managed facility that has brought high-quality entertainment of many genres to town and has operated within budget since its inception.
It is hardly surprising that, in this time of economic downturn, such an operation might fall short – to be rescued by less than $2 per person.
One can debate whether arts and entertainment should be run on a strict profit/loss model but, however viewed, the Port is a huge success story.
Where was Peterson when the convention centre was proposed?
Bruce Farquharson
Nanaimo