Regent renewal has hefty price tag
Committee asks City for $1 million
Jan 17, 2006
By Jillian Follert
OSHAWA -- The group responsible for giving the Regent Theatre a facelift is asking council for $1 million to jump-start a project that organizers admit has stalled.
Members of the Regent Theatre Steering Committee made the appeal at Monday night's council meeting, after providing an overview of renovations to date and a look ahead to future goals.
According to committee chairman Howard Smith, it will cost $6.5 million to complete the improvements, which include a new facade, plumbing and electrical work, mould removal and water damage repairs.
Mr. Smith said "Regent fatigue" has set in with donors who feel that little has been accomplished since the project started in 2001, and said a show of support from the City could renew their faith.
"We believe that we need to have council's clear support and backing for the project, before we can go to other leaders in the community...the major donors want to know the City is behind us," Mr. Smith explained. "It's tough when we're in competition with the hospital and the university and other groups -- we can't do this alone."
He added that much has been accomplished since 2001, citing $177,822 in capital repairs, a feasibility and marketing study, historic designation status, and a new steering committee formed in 2005.
To move ahead, the committee plans to use $1 million from the City and $1 million from an institutional fundraising campaign, to get the building open and operational. From there, committee members said programming can be established, which will allow them to apply for provincial and federal government grants to cover additional costs.
In addition to funding, the committee asked council to approve a new governance structure that would see them separate from the Folk Arts Council and become an independent foundation with charitable status, reporting to the City.
After the presentation, Councillor Mike Nicholson was quick to point out that the City already donated almost $1 million to the cause when they bought the Regent Theatre building, and suggested that the committee take a loan this time around.
"I think giving over a million to save the building in the first place was a commitment...I'm just wondering why investors would think council is not behind it?" Coun. Nicholson said. "There is huge pressure on city council for money. To hand over one million -- which we've already done -- and then to hand over another million that could go nowhere, it's a huge gamble."
Also hesitant was Councillor Nester Pidwerbecki, who wondered whether the Regent would compete with the new downtown arena, and Councillor April Cullen who pointed out that all the studies and business plans completed years ago will likely have to be redone.
Despite these concerns, Mr. Smith said he remained hopeful that council would come through for them again.
"We don't just need their blessing we need their help and support," he said. "All we can do now is wait for them to make a decision."
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