Fall referendum important to Frank Venables future
The Oliver Community Theatre Society is reminding residents that the success of the new Frank Venables auditorium hinges on this fall’s referendum.
Society president Wendy Newman said they have to start promoting the theatre now to prepare for the big vote in November.
“I wouldn’t want to be complacent and assume (the referendum will pass). We’ve got to make it so people are compelled to vote and support it.”
Newman joins society members John Frank, Bob Park, Christine Rothwell, Carol Sheridan and Midge Wyse in overseeing the operation.
The society will manage the facility as a centre for community events and the performing arts. It hopes to inspire local artists and students to engage in live theatre, dance and music.
The key objectives in the first year will be to establish strong community links and promote the venue to touring artists and concert promoters.
Newman said she was astonished by the number of groups that came forward to utilize the theatre when it opened its doors in February.
“It exceeded our expectations.”
The South Okanagan Concert Society started things off with a fabulous Ken Lavigne concert on February 28. This was followed by more than 18 public performances including the high school’s Wizard of Oz, fundraising events, and Lend Me a Tenor by South Okanagan Amateur Players.
Newman estimated that more than 3,500 people have come to the theatre since it opened six months ago.
“We want to convince everyone that it will be as active or more active than the old auditorium,” she stated.
Newman said the society will try to run the theatre as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. She noted that rental rates for local community groups will be kept low – as low as the society can afford to staff the facility.
The board plans to hire a part-time theatre manager in September to look after booking and scheduling duties, as well as administration tasks.
The only roadblock Newman sees in September is the potential continuation of the teachers’ strike.
“There is a bit of fear with taking on new bookings . . . but as soon as we get that (strike) resolved, the better for the theatre.”
She noted that if the strike continues this fall, people will be a “little scared” crossing picket lines.
Newman said the school district’s role in the new auditorium will be providing the utilities and the mechanical expertise.
The society has yet to find out what the referendum question will be, but Newman suspects it will basically ask residents if they will financially support the operation of the theatre.
It was previously reported that annual operational funding has been set to a maximum of $138,000, with the tax rate being 10 cents per $1,000 of assessed value.
Newman said the average household will pay about $25 per year for operating the theatre.
Mark Woods, community services manager for the regional district, could not be reached for comment regarding the referendum question or the tax figures.
Newman said the Oliver community has a long history of supporting the arts, but she acknowledged, from her experience, that it is difficult to get people to raise their taxes voluntarily for an operational function.
“The success of the referendum is fundamental to the ongoing success of the theatre. The 2009 referendum helped get the theatre built, this coming referendum is our chance to finish the job and support the operation.”
The theatre society has just launched its website and hopes to rally volunteers to help with operations this fall. Visit www.venablestheatre.ca for more information.
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
The Frank Venables Theatre will soon open its doors to many performances.
Lyonel Doherty photo
