The bad news is some of us still haven't figured out why we should build a Performing Arts Centre.
The good news is they're still willing to learn. The announcement that we are paying $20,000 to survey the random entertainment tastes of our community is a cry for help. We have to get past thinking about this proposed venue as a simple utility. The bricks and mortar are secondary. First and foremost, the need for this facility should be rooted in a more philosophic approach. Do we really need to build a "plush seat palace" to host Justin Beiber? Lord help us.
But rather, a new purpose built Performing Arts Centre should be charged with developing a deeper, stronger performing/visual arts culture in our community. The PAC should become a hub for education, promotion and demonstration. A new Performing Arts Centre will serve as a catalyst for the success of popular and experimental arts projects in dance, music, theatre and commercial performance art.
Do we build arenas, soccer fields, swimming pools, baseball diamonds, basketball courts and ice ovals based on commercially viability? We spend millions keeping them in operation. These facilities do not recover all the operating costs from users.
We know this going into the game. We build this stuff to create a stronger more attractive community for our residents. It should be no different for a Performing Arts Centre, library, art gallery or museum. Prince George built its first indoor ice arena in 1939. The City of Prince George has never funded the building of a purpose-built performing arts facility. The PG Playhouse was built by a dedicated group of volunteers with some city funding. Vanier Hall was built by the Ministry of Education. Theatre Northwest uses donated space in a shopping mall. The PGSO exists in a wartime barrack on 15th avenue.
From the comparative meager annual funding of arts in our community to the almost chronic misunderstanding of this infrastructure initiative, I am disheartened to admit that the leaders in our community have failed to grasp the true reason for building a Performing Arts Centre.
As a consequence we find ourselves staring this issue down again. We are literally back at square one.
Gathering intelligence is diligent and necessary. I have great faith that Dan Adamson will produce a comprehensive summary of the studies that have been conducted.
But as we continue to spend gobs of money on study after study on this topic, when we finally come to the realization that the answer lies plainly at the doorstep of decision makers. No amount of hopin' and wishin' will divert the decision somewhere else. This random survey may give us some clues about people's entertainment tastes in 2014, but I doubt it will reinforce the real reason for building this proposed facility.
Bill Russell
Prince George
