The Society for the Community Arts Theatre at Stelly's - Presentation to Saanich Board of Education, Finance and Facilities Committee
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The Society for the Community
Arts Theatre at Stelly’s
Presentation to Saanich Board of Education,
Finance and Facilities Committee
November 5th, 2013
Why a Community Arts Theatre at Stelly’s?
• The students of Stelly’s need a new facility.
• The school district does not have the resources for a project of
this magnitude on its own.
• There is a need for a state of the art performance venue in the
CRD. Why not at Stelly’s?
• A facility of this quality is potentially a significant revenue
generator for SD 63.
Stelly’s Secondary School was built in 1977. A common
feature of schools built at that time was a multipurpose
room.
The Multipurpose Room (MPR) at Stelly’s serves as:
• classroom,
• assembly area,
• lunch room,
• rehearsal space and
• principal performance venue for all of Stelly’s
performing arts events.
This space does not adequately serve the needs of any
of its user groups.
The MPR is located adjacent to a teaching kitchen that creates a great deal of noise and distraction during class, rehearsal and performance times. The sound and lighting equipment is inadequate. The drapes are threadbare and must be replaced. There are no dressing rooms. There is no backstage space. There are frequent scheduling conflicts, often with little or no notice, that cause unnecessary disruption of valuable class and rehearsal time.
Entrances to teaching kitchen
(surround sound).
Stelly’s Multipurpose Room.
Raise the Curtains? Carefully!
Backstage area and dressing rooms.
The bleacher style seats do not provide sufficient capacity for most performances, are uncomfortable, in disrepair and a significant potential liability to the Board.
Safety hazard and liability to SD 63.
Underutilized Space.
What is Possible!
A state of the art facility for both school and community use capable of
accommodating all types of events from intimate gatherings to theatrical
productions.
A mid-sized seating capacity in the range of 500-800,
Large lobby with gallery and gathering spaces,
A main floor with a balcony that may be closed off,
Separate rehearsal space,
An orchestra pit,
A fly tower,
Dressing rooms and adequate storage space.A performing arts theatre at Stelly's will be a
well used community asset.
User groups and events that may be hosted include but are not limited to:
School District M#63 (Saanich) Musical Theatre Productions
Ballroom Dance Societies Plays
Instrumental and Vocal Ensembles Musical Recitals
Service Clubs Coffee Concerts
Government Organizations Festivals
Visiting Dignitaries Exhibits
Guest Lecturers Film Presentations
Business Leaders Conventions
Seniors Groups Church Services
Dance Academies Dinner Theatre
Community Forums Public meetingsEnhanced Learning and Revenue Generating
Opportunities.
• Catering for Dinner Theatre, conventions and other events.
• Wardrobe/costume design, production, storage and rental.
• Make-up and hairstyle design and application.
• Set design and construction.
• Sound and lighting workshops.
• Event planning and marketing.
• School and community participation in workshops conducted by
visiting performers.
• Events designed to appeal to tourists during peak season.What has been done so far. • An architect has toured the Stelly’s site and identified viable options for theatre construction. • The SCATS Board has toured a number of theatres to determine essential features that must be included in a new theatre. More importantly, challenges and deficiencies to be avoided were also identified. Theatres visited include: The Port Theatre, Nanaimo The Bell Performing Arts Centre, Surrey The Kay Meek Centre, West Vancouver The Michael J Fox Theatre, Burnaby The Brentwood College Theatre, Mill Bay From these visits a list of essential theatre features was compiled.
What must happen next! A professional feasibility study must be commissioned. This study must focus on three key areas: • What can the site physically accommodate architecturally? What are the viable options? • What support is there for a project of this magnitude in the broader community? That community extends well beyond the District of Central Saanich and must include all of the Capital Regional District.
What must happen next (continued). • What business plan will support this project long term? The theatre must be capable of meeting its operating costs as well as generating a fund for building and equipment renewal. Ideally it should also be a revenue generator for the Saanich School District. • A committee comprised of members from the Saanich School District Board and senior staff, SCATS Board and representatives from the District of Central Saanich should be commissioned to consult with the professionals contracted to perform the feasibility study.
A Feasibility Study will: • Tell us exactly what is realistic and possible. • Tell us how much that will cost. • Provide a visual representation of the proposed final product. • Allow effective targeted fundraising to occur. • Lead to the successful planning, construction and operation of a professional performing arts theatre at Stelly’s.
Help us bring a world class venue to Stelly’s. Turn this… Into this!
Invest in the Future of our Students and
Community.
• The Stelly’s multipurpose room is inadequate and a liability.
• $60,000 buys a professional feasibility study.
• Do not miss a tremendous potential opportunity.
• Determine the best possible option for our students and community.
• Formally endorse this initiative and participate in funding a feasibility
study.Imagine a theatre like this at Stelly’s!
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