By Laurie Watt

Barrie councillors seem to be getting a case of stage fright when it comes to committing cash to investigating the feasibility of a large performance centre.

Councillors were poised to approve a plan to ask staff for a report back on the steps and costs associated with a feasibility study for a theatre of 1,800 seats.

Monday night, they not only passed that, but they added another proviso, that the city examine the potential of the new Mapleview Community Church, which will have 2,100 seats by the time its second phase is completed in five years’ time.

“I’ve done some research and there’s a (future) venue of 2,100 seats. This is a brand new facility,” said Ward 10 Coun. Alex Nuttall.

“When we’re looking at the prospect of spending $75 million (for an 1,800-seat theatre), it’s important to look at every possibility. This is a great possibility, state-of-the-art acoustically and with a state-of-the-art sound system.”

City staff will now be required to examine and report on the potential of the new south-end church, as well as any other possible locations for a large theatre.

The city’s culture department has recommended the city stick to its cultural plan, Building A Creative Future, which recommends building a small theatre, so existing community groups could expand their programs and audiences.

Also Monday night, councillors tentatively approved converting an old Scotiabank on the Five Points to a theatre with 120 to 220 seats; that motion received overwhelming support from councillors, who will ratify the decision June 9.

The staff report reinforced the city’s strategy of building local talent and audiences in the arts. A small theatre would be filled at least 200 times per year, the report noted, while by contrast, a large theatre would be used nine times each year.

“If we try to create a larger performance space theatre prior to building capacity, we will be faced with the threat of the venue sitting empty on many nights throughout the year,” wrote Onalee Groves, the city’s cultural development officer.

“Since the production costs of theatres are increased greatly by the size of venue, many local companies will be prohibited from using a larger venue in their effort to keep production affordable … Research told us that in the existing cultural climate, a larger venue of 1,200 seats would only be utilized nine times per year, which makes it difficult to warrant such a large expenditure until it is identified where the opportunities are for large audience growth.”

In an interview, Community Services Committee chairman Coun. John Brassard said the city has an array of high-ticket capital projects on the go – including a $150-million surface water treatment plant, $80 million in upgrades to the sewage treatment plant and a $10-million fire station.

“The city cannot afford a commitment of $35 million (as large performance centre advocate Bruce Owen estimates) for a large performing arts centre. We’ve got some pretty significant issues in this city,” he said.