St. Michael’s All Angel’s Church is in the midst of renovations and has asked Prince George’s city council for funding to help transform the church into a multi-purpose concert venue.
However, council has denied the church’s request as it waits for a city-wide comprehensive arts strategy.
Dr. Marie Hay and Dwight Wolfe, both longtime members, attended Monday night’s meeting (Oct.4) to ask council for a $50,000 grant towards 300 cushioned and linkable chairs to help transform the space into a recital hall.
“In moving forward into a post-COVID decade, St. Michael is expanding and enhancing the use of its large space into a safe and accessible vibrant performing arts hub,” said Hay.
The church is currently used as a home for its Anglican parish, the Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, social services outreach, and a medium-sized concert venue for choirs and other performing arts.
“To achieve this goal St. Michael's needs to obtain 300 cushioned linkable concert grade chairs which would allow for great flexibility of use in this multipurpose downtown space turning it into a bustling hub of humanity.”
Wolfe explained that in April the church embarked on a $650,000 renovation for its exterior envelope including a new roof, however not long after a severe rainstorm caused damage to the interior and basement.
An insurance company is now restoring the interior from floor to roof for about $442,000 which results in almost a complete renovation of the facility.
“This complete restoration of St. Michael has opened up a golden opportunity to turn this large well-built edifice into a multipurpose building for the people of Prince George,” said Wolfe. “The parish of St. Michael has determined that the use of this space once on a Sunday morning for a religious service is not a good utilization or stewardship of such a fine structure.”
Wolfe explained replacing the pews with chairs would allow for a comfortable 300 seat venue with a total capacity of 498 persons instead of 200 seats on hard benches.
“It is a very common knowledge that we are waiting for the arts strategy to return to council and until we see that full arts strategy, I am hesitant to make decisions regarding what arts in our community looks like because we want to see it form a whole picture,” said Coun. Cori Ramsay.
“While 50,000 doesn’t seem like a lot of money we don’t know what that grand scale is going to look like or how much we will be investing going forward.”
As St. Michael is not a civic facility, Coun. Brian Skakun said he was concerned about the ask considering the city only gives the Community Arts Council (CAC) $50,000 to operate Studio 2880 which is city-owned.
CAC is also working on initial plans to turn Trinity Downtown (formerly Knox United Church) into a performance venue.
“We know that Knox United are in the process of applying for funding for a feasibility study to see if their building can be converted into a recital hall but I think we are going to be way further ahead than they are and are going to be ready by January 2022,” said Hay.
However. Coun. Terri McConnachie noted the Church’s primary function remains a place of worship and as such already receives tax exemptions from different levels of government.
“I think this is in addition to what the church exists for and receives support from other levels of government for,” said McConnachie. “In addition to that Coun. Ramsay was very good when she explained when we are waiting for a little bit more of a plan to come together. I don’t want to step outside of that at this time by investing money.”
Coun. Kyle Sampson suggested the church apply for funding through the city’s myPG community grant program which is a funding stream designed to help local organizations develop and implement projects.
“I would strongly encourage you to connect with staff and see if there’s already some grant streams within the city of Prince George that you may fall within,” said Sampson.
Coun. Murry Krause added he’d prefer to wait until the arts strategy is completed, which staff suggested should be available within six months.
“I too don’t want to see piecemeal support for arts in the community and if we weren’t waiting for the arts strategy it might be a completely different ball game,” said Krause, who then made a motion to ensure an analysis of the St. Michael’s would be included in the overall arts strategy.
“I have not seen an ask like this before from a church and it is interesting, to say the least,” said Mayor Lyn Hall.
“I know you have done a tremendous amount of work with folks that are marginalized and living on the street and I think if we can meld this into our process around the arts strategy, that is the best position for you folks and for us to be in, so we are not in a position where we are piecemealing it.”
