‘A lot of money’: Residents raise arts centre funding concerns

As the Collingwood Arts Centre project moves into phase three of its feasibility study, residents were invited both in-person at the Simcoe Street Theatre and virtually to participate in discussions on the work that’s been done so far on the project, and its next steps.

And about 75 residents came both in-person and online on Nov. 29, armed with their thoughts.

Phase three of the Collingwood Arts Centre Feasibility Study is exploring design options, final costing and funding sources.

At this point, the consultant leading the study hired by the town – Colliers Project Leaders – are planning for an arts centre that includes public gathering areas, front-of-house space, a theatre with high capacity and fixed seating as well as an option with smaller capacity and flexible seating, administrative space, theatre support spaces (such as a green room and dressing rooms), one to two studios/classrooms, additional office/catering space and retail/market spaces.

Responding to a question from one attendee at Wednesday’s meeting, the town’s parks, recreation and culture director Dean Collver estimated that the town will have spent about $300,000 on consultants to shape the project once it reaches the end of phase three.

“I think we’re here to hear about what’s going on, but I find this a little light on details,” said one attendee who did not identify herself. “I look at our town not having a water solution – and we don’t have the dollars for that.”

“The town is the people. The town is the tax base. That’s a lot of money. Meanwhile, we can’t get a parking spot anywhere,” she said.

The arts and culture centre feasibility process was first approved by council in December 2019 as part of the 2020 budget. Since then, there have been two phases, led by Nordicity as well as Giaimo Architects.

Based on the consultants’ work in the first two phases, the current estimated cost of building a centre is between $25 million and $34 million, but those figures don’t include soft costs such as the architectural designs, nor do they include furnishings and equipment, which Nordicity suggested could add about 10 per cent to the overall cost. A parking structure, whether under or above ground, would also add to the cost, possibly another $10 million.

On April 3, the town’s consultant team delivered its most recent findings on the project to councillors as part of phase two, suggesting a 400-seat theatre be built and offering two site options for it: a parking lot at 48 Ste Marie St. and the former Collingwood Terminals building. At that time, most of council and representatives from several local arts groups pushed for 48 Ste. Marie St. as the best location of the two.

During a July 24 committee of the whole meeting, councillors voted unanimously to contract Colliers Project Leaders to develop a business case for the centre, which marked the beginning of phase three of the project. At that meeting, members of the local arts community asked if other locations in Collingwood’s downtown could still be considered as part of that work.

At Wednesday’s session, Collver said that at this point in discussions, the town is narrowing in on three location options: 48 Ste. Marie St., the Ste. Marie St. parking lot adjacent to the Eddie Bush arena, and the public parking lot at Pine and Second Streets.

One attendee expressed concern that with all three potential locations in the downtown, and on a floodplain, there would be issues in creating underground parking on any of the three sites.

“You’re suggesting we convert one of our three downtown parking lots. It seems to me that is very short-sighted on the part of the town,” said another attendee who didn’t identify herself.

She suggested the Collingwood Club (formerly Collingwood Leisure Time Club) parking lot, which is owned by the town, could be put to more use. 

“This should be incorporated into your possible locations instead of eliminating one parking lot,” she said.

Collver said the Collingwood Club was previously considered under phase one, where all the locations were analyzed for issues such as traffic patterns.

“It was ultimately eliminated...as one of the sites recommended,” said Collver.

Collver noted that any site selected will need to include parking both for the future centre, but also for any public parking spaces lost through the construction.

“There’s potential to actually enhance parking,” he added.

A few attendees raised a concern that the one to two meeting spaces currently being considered for the project wouldn’t be enough, and that at least four meeting spaces should be included as well as storage space for community groups. Others suggested that exhibition space for art should be included, as well as a space to showcase local tourism opportunities for people visiting from out of town.

The next step for the project will be the presentation of phase three of the feasibility study to council, which is slated as of now for council’s Dec. 18 meeting. Feedback received at Wednesday’s public information session will be incorporated into the plan presented at that meeting.