Chatham-Kent’s new cultural plan was approved by council at Monday nights meeting.
However, the financial cost of many of the 30-plus recommendations will be decided come budget time.
Evelyn Bish, director of community services, provided a presentation discussing key points from the Chatham-Kent cultural plan implementation project.
Bish said the majority of funding in the report, which totals $544,612, would come from reserves and each item would come back to council.
“No new tax dollars are being asked for at this time,” Bish said.
Before moving the recommendations, Chatham Coun. Derek Robertson commended staff for a good report.
“I feel like I’m in the minority tonight,” he said. “I’m comfortable with the plan. I think this is a good use of funds.”
West Kent Coun. Bryon Fluker made a successful amendment to Coun. Robertson’s motion, to refer a number of items regarding the Kiwanis Theatre, Studio One and the Box Office be moved to the budget deliberations.
East Kent Coun. Steve Pinsonneault entered an unsuccessful motion to move all of the financial aspects of the report to the 2015 budget.
“All the financial aspects of this should go to the 2015 budget… this is the responsible thing to do,” he said. “There will be competing projects. We’re just going to be dealing with a whirlwind.”
South Kent Coun. Karen Herman said she was not happy with the report.
“I’m not feeling like all of Chatham-Kent is working together on a cultural plan,” she said. “We’re not even talking about black history or culinary tourism. This is missing something for me and all of Chatham-Kent to address cultural needs.”
Wallaceburg Coun. Carmen McGregor said she saw no mention of the Wallaceburg Museum or the Von Ayres Cultural Centre in the plan.
“I didn’t see all of Chatham-Kent encompassed in this plan,” she said.
Bish added this plan is just a start.
“Look at this as a spring board for things that need to come,” she said. “This for Chatham-Kent culture is just a spring board.”
Bish said the plan includes more of structured network, moving away from the CreateCK strategy.
For the Chatham Cultural Centre, Bish said staff will investigate addition storage for the facility, with the former Cinema 6 building as a possible location.
Staff is also recommending that the 42-year-old seats be replaced in the Kiwanis Theatre.
Bish said this move would reduce seats in the Kiwanis Theatre from 638 to 400, but it would make it more accessible and provide a “fuller house”, which would increase the quality of experience.
Bish said changing the name of the Kiwanis Theatre would be explored as well, which would help differentiate the name of the Capitol Theatre and Kiwanis Theatre.
Staff is recommending that the entrance for the box office be moved to Museum and Gallery entrance.
Bish said this would be better for customer service and better for accommodation.
The report also recommended hiring a facility booking coordinator at a price tag of $65,500.
Bish said the cost of this would be covered through an increase in ticket handling fee at the Kiwanis Theatre and savings from a service review.
The report also details plans to investigate a new location for ARTspace in Chatham, for the Ridge House Museum in Ridgetown, fully digitizing the collection for the Thames Art Gallery, among others.
Many of the items are set to come to council during budget deliberations.
