A public survey is under way about the economic impact of municipally owned theatres.
Chatham-Kent Council has directed the municipal administration to examine all effective options for future use of the Capitol and Kiwanis theatres in Chatham. Both theatres are owned by the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, while the Capitol Theatre has been operated by St. Clair College.
As an important part of this study, the administration is analysing the impact of the theatres on Chatham-Kent’s economy. Don Shropshire, Chief Administrative Officer for the municipality, says Chatham-Kent and downtown Chatham have benefited greatly through the diverse offerings of the theatres in recent years.
“Thanks in a large part to St. Clair’s activities to date, the Capitol Theatre has given a real boost to the downtown Chatham economy, our community’s quality of life, and our attractiveness to newcomers and investors,” said Shropshire.
To inform the study, the municipality is asking everyone who has attended either theatre to complete a short survey on the municipal website at www.chatham-kent.ca. The survey form will be available until Friday, February 5, 2016.
“This survey will assist our administration in presenting the best options to Council,” said Shropshire. “I strongly encourage anyone interested to take a few minutes to fill it out.”
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is also requesting information from anyone interested in providing operating services for the Capitol Theatre in downtown Chatham.
The municipality is asking that any interested party provide a written Expression of Interest.
It should be sealed in an envelope that is clearly marked on the outside regarding its contents. The envelope should be delivered to the Purchasing Officer, Municipality of Chatham-Kent, First Floor, Civic Centre, 315 King Street West, Chatham, Ontario before 1:30 PM (1330hrs local time) on Wednesday, February 3, 2016.
“The Capitol Theatre is a fine facility and we are interested in receiving original expressions of interest that will maximize its benefits to the community,” said the municipality’s Director of Community Services, Evelyn Bish.
Additional details and requirements are available the RFP and Tenders area of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent website at www.chatham-kent.ca.
Ridiculous statement by the Chief Administrative Officer that Chatham-Kent has benefited from the Capitol Theatre. It is an expensive yoke around the necks of all Chatham-Kent residents while only benefiting the city of Chatham. Get rid of it asap and save services in the outlying areas like Bothwell’s arena! Pull your heads out of your butts Randy Hope, councillors and administration and stop trying to sell us on something that everyone knows doesn’t work.