An example of a traditional-style proscenium performing arts centre. (Supplied by AMS Planning & Research)

By Connor Gunn

New performing arts centre price-tag increases to $100 million

Sep 22, 2020 | 1:38 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB– The price tag on a potential Performing Arts Centre has been increased since one week ago.

Originally, when the Performing Arts Centre Steering Committee presented to Lethbridge City Council last week, the estimated price of the project was $74 million. When presenting to Council on Monday (Sept 21), Councillors were told the cost is estimated at $100 million.

The project will attempt to grow performing arts in Lethbridge and make the city an arts hub.

Dianne King, the spokesperson for the Performing Arts Advocacy Group, says the community engagement has been positive with the art-lovers, and negative with almost everyone else.

King says through this pandemic, arts have been a major help.

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“It’s the arts that have helped us get through these last six months.”

The ask of council is to not shoot down the project and keep it in play, which some councillors would like to see.

Also, the arts group was hoping Councillors would not remove the $6.8 million in funding from the Capital Improvement Project (CIP) cycle. That money was initially established for a detailed plan of the project. However, the group would now like the money to be utilized for site selection.

Mayor Chris Spearman wants clarification if they were to maintain the CIP money for the project.

“Is there a clear plan? We had funded detailed drawings to make it shovel-ready, and you don’t want to have those drawings done for five to ten years before construction.”

“We need to make sure there is a clear plan with a timeline and a clear expectation as to how many dollars are expected from the city of Lethbridge and how many dollars will be coming from elsewhere.”

The Councillors moved to delay and a possible decision will be made at a council meeting before November 2nd, 2020.