Article content

Proponents of an ambitious transformation of Arts Commons made their case Thursday, suggesting the two-phase $412-million project is needed to keep the organization sustainable.

Calgary

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Arts Commons makes case for ambitious $412-million 'transformation' Back to video

The media event came five days before city council is scheduled to discuss and prioritize four major capital projects, the others being the BMO Centre expansion, an event centre/arena and a field house.

The Arts Commons transformation includes the $208-million Phase 1 that would see the adjacent brownfield converted into a 440,000-square-foot facility housing three new venues: a 1,200-seat theatre, a 250-seat theatre and an 80-seat theatre.

CALwp

The second phase, which would cost $204 million, involves transforming the current 33-year-old facility and addressing what Arts Commons calls $71 million in critical infrastructure issues.

“What we’re faced with right now is a lot of theatre technology that is obsolete,” says Colleen Dickson, chief financial officer and interim co-CEO of Arts Commons. “So there’s a lot of risk right now about just continuing to hope that the technology is going to continue functioning. We know we can’t repair it. We’ve been repairing it over the years. The components aren’t there. They just don’t make it anymore.”