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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-001-08 ClwinglOn REPORT COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT Date: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE February 25,2008 Resolution #:~ PA-13't-O~ Meeting: Report #: CSD-001-08 File #: By-law #: Subject: BOWMANVILLE - CLARINGTON CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report CSD-001-08 be received for information; 2. THAT the request for space at 40 Temperance Street for the purpose of a performing arts centre be denied; and 3. THAT Carol Davidson and Peggy Clark be advised of Council's decision. Submitted by: J eph P. Caruana irector of Community Services Reviewed bY:O~~ Franklin Wu Chief Administrative Officer JPC/SM/JM CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOW MANVILLE, ONTARIO L 1 C 3A6 T (905)623-3379 F (905)623-5506 REPORT NO.: CSD.001-08 PAGE 2 1.0 BACKGROUND 1.1 On April 30, 2007 Council heard a delegation from Carol Davidson, wherein she requested that the Council Chambers and Municipal Office space be reclaimed as a concert hall for use as a centre for performing arts for Bowmanville- Clarington. At that time Ms. Davidson also presented the Clerk's Department with a petition signed by 982 individuals who were in support of her request. 1.2 Subsequently, Council passed a resolution referring this request to the Community Services Department. 1.3 On December 12, 2005 the CAO responded in writing to a similar request made by Carol Davidson and Peggy Clarke. (Attachment #1) 1.4 On May 31, 2007 staff met with Carol Davidson and Peggy Clark to discuss the request and gather relevant information, as well as, discuss the current demonstrated need and alternative options. 2.0 COMMENTS 2.1 The Municipality actively uses the proposed space to conduct municipal business including Council and Committee meetings, Ontario Municipal Board and other tribunal hearings, staff training, civic marriages, information and open houses and other functions. 2.2 In order for the proposed space to be considered as a performing arts space it would require substantial modifications. At this time a needs assessment has not been completed to substantiate the community need or support for such a facility. 2.3 Currently there are several performing arts centres being contemplated or in the fund raising/development stage in the Region of Durham i.e. Durham West Arts Centre, The Regent Theatre (Oshawa), The Abilities Centre (Whitby). 2.4 Currently there are no plans or funds identified for this project to proceed. This project has not been identified in the Corporate Strategic Business Plan 2007- 2010. 2.5 Under the Department's Community Development portfolio, staff will continue to assist Ms. Davidson and Ms. Clark with organizational planning, facilitate information sharing with similar groups across the Region and support the aim of the group recognizing that arts and culture are fundamental to our quality of life and are vital assets for economic and social growth in our community. 2.6 With the recent decision to close Total Hockey, Ms. Davidson and Ms. Clark have expressed interest in having the Total Hockey space re-purposed to performing arts space. Staff is currently awaiting written confirmation of this request. Once received, this request will be included in the review of potential options for future use of the space. Attachment #1: Letter dated December 12, 2005 from Frank Wu, CAG Attachment #1 to CSD-OO 1-08 ,ClarmntOll Leading the Way b L December 12, 2005 Ms. Carol Davidson 114 Apple Blossom Blvd. Bowmanville, Ontario LIC 4T8 Ms. Peggy L. Clark 4 Wellington Street Bowmanville, Ontario LIC1V1 Dear Madam: RE: CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS PROPOSAL Thank you for meeting Mr. Horvath and myselfto explore the idea of converting part of the existing Municipal Administrative Centre to a centre of performing arts. Both Mr. Horvath and myself understand and appreciate the rationale behind your proposal. However, converting part ofthe existing Administrative Centre to a centre of performing arts would either require the Council Chambers to accommodate both municipal uses and the performing arts or, the relocation of the Council Chambers. We have examined both options and regret to advise you that neither is acceptable to the Administration for the following reasons. Joint Use Option In addition to regular Committee and Council meetings, the Council Chambers is used for other purposes including Ontario Municipal Board and other tribunal hearings, staff trainings, civic marriages, information open houses and other functions, many of which do not necessarily have a fixed time slot. There is very limited down time available for performing arts purposes. Furthermore, the Council Chambers is designed for meeting purposes and it would require substantial change in order to meet the needs of the performing arts. We are not sure if it is at all feasible to renovate the Chambers that can accommodate two very different uses, each with its distinctive requirement for seating capacity, security and other needs. Relocatinf! Council Chambers Back in 1986, the then Council of the Town of Newcastle decided to refurbish the old Bowmanville Townhall and build an addition in order to consolidate various municipal operations scattered throughout the town. As a result, the new construction created a CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L1C 3A6 T (905) 623-3379 Ms. Carol Davidson - 2 - Ms. Peggy Clark physical presence for the local government inclusive of a properly designed Council Chambers that can accommodate the growing number of citizens interested in attending the Council and Committee meetings. Having the Council Chambers within the same building ofthe offices of the staff and the elected officials have provided easy access and convenience which would not be possible if the Council Chambers is relocated elsewhere. From an operational perspective, it is neither efficient or desirable to separate the Council Chambers from the rest of the municipal operation. In additional, the cost associated with either renovating the Chambers or relocating the Chambers would be very cost prohibitive. To the best of my knowledge and recollection, past and present Council have never indicated nor hinted that the Council Chambers should be used or converted for performing art purposes which is neither in our current Business Plan nor is it anticipated in our capital work forecast. Even if Council agrees to entertain such an idea, a full study inclusive of all technical feasibility and financial ramifications would be required in order to ensure Council has a full understanding of what this project entails in relation to all the other capital project demands that the citizens expect Council to deliver. I trust the foregoing comments are of assistance to you. j~-J~ Franklin Wu Chief Administrative Officer cc: Fred Horvath, Director of Operations