It’s been talked about for at least a decade, but so far, the South Okanagan Performing Arts Centre hasn’t come close to being a reality.
But a dedicated group is still pursuing the idea, and they are asking council to give them another two years to get there. The SOPAC society attended council with requests for support, including that the city refrains from selling, leasing or otherwise putting to use the lots at Ellis Street and Nanaimo Avenue, which have been vacant for several years, until the end of 2018, when SOPAC expects to have reached phase 2 of their new planning process.
Though the city has never formally dedicated the area to a performing arts centre, it has long been earmarked for that use.
More: Arts society fighting to keep idea of performing centre alive
However, the request now clashes with another possible use for the land. They didn’t ask specifically for that area, but earlier in the council meeting representatives of the Youth Resource Centre project pointed out the location would also be ideal for their project, noting they have secured enough donors to begin the planning and construction.
The Youth Centre project was referred to city staff to find alternate locations, but several councillors were concerned about committed the land to SOPAC in light of the youth project needs.
More: Youth Centre gets support from city
Anthony Haddad, director of development services, said the process proposed by SOPAC which includes a fall symposium, is a good solution to figure out if the SOPAC project is a good thing for the community.
“Is there a demand for the SOPAC project is probably a bigger question,” said Haddad.
Mayor Andrew Jakubeit suggested it would be possible to refer the SOPAC project back to staff, in light of the Youth Centre needs.
“I would hate to pit one group against another,” he said, adding that staff may be able to find another location for the Youth Resource Centre.
Sayeed said he supported SOPAC, but also said the youth centre needed his support as well. He noted that the SOPAC presentation included a reference to building for generations to come.
“There will be no generation left if we do not support the YES (Youth Esteem Strategy) project,” said Sayeed, asking SOPAC representatives if they were willing to work with the youth group.
SOPAC president Allan Markin said granting the Youth Centre three lots of the nine on the site would remove the possibility of a studio theatre.
“Without that, we would not have a performing arts centre,” said Markin. “If we give up those three plots of land, essentially our model is dead.
“I can’t see a way to make the two projects fit.”
Coun. Max Picton said he struggled with the idea of tying up the land for another two years.
“I think we have kept our commitment, and respectfully, they have not. Art in the community is important, their vision is also important, but not at the expense of the younger generation,” said Sayeed.
Jakubeit moved to put off the decision until more information was available and, with the exception of Sayeed, council voted to have City staff will work with both groups return at council’s March 7 meeting.