The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is set to explore the cost associated with restoring the Von Ayres Cultural Centre and Jeanne Gordon Theatre in Wallaceburg.
Coucillor Carmen McGregor entered a successful motion at the Monday, November 6, 2023 Council meeting.
The motion was approved unanimously by Council in the consent agenda portion of the meeting.
McGregor’s motion directs staff to do the following:
– Prepare a high-level report including funding options to present to council that will identify the capital cost of restoration of the Von Ayres Cultural Centre and Jeanne Gordon Theatre to a state, where it can once again provide the community with a venue for theatrical performances with identified maximum seating. And under the governance of the Wallaceburg Historical Society help with the ability to keep the VACC and Jeannie Gordon Theatre financially viable.
– Undertake a building condition assessment of the Von Ayres Cultural Centre and Jeanne Gordon Theatre and that funding for the assignment be funded from the Building Lifecycle Reserve.
– The report will include an addendum that states past municipal practice of the services and financial support with comparison to the language provided in the most recent and newly issued lease.
– The information be provided to Council by March 2024.
“The Municipality of Chatham-Kent recently provided information to the Wallaceburg and District Horticultural Society regarding the Wallaceburg Museum, the Von Ayres Cultural Centre (VACC) and Jeanne Gordon Theatre regarding new restrictions to be applied as a result of Fire Code Regulations and the information on a renewed lease,” McGregor said in her notice of motion, adding that museums, arts, culture and performing arts are vital within communities in Chatham-Kent and falls within Council’s term priorities.
“Each will create a hardship and inability to support the facility in Wallaceburg.”
McGregor added the Von Ayres Cultural Centre and Jeannie Gordon Hall have been an integral part in the Wallaceburg community for social, educational, business, recreational and entertainment engagements, including at one time, theatrical performances.
She said the Von Ayres Cultural Centre and Jeanne Gordon Theatre originally hosted a stage of 25 1/2‘x 21 1/2 deep with auditorium seating for up to 130 people equipped with a 20-foot-wide screen, sound and lighting booth, excellent acoustics, bar and refreshment area and elevator for meeting accessibility requirements.
“The Wallaceburg Museum, and the (Von Ayres Cultural Centre) are included as being an important part of the revitalization of the south-side of Wallaceburg and are included within the Wallaceburg Southside Secondary Plan,” McGregor said in her notice of motion.
In a separate report on Monday, Council approved a stable, annual base budget for Buxton National Historic Site & Museum, Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society – Black Mecca Museum, and the Wallaceburg & District Museum be established at the $173,440 level, to align with previous Core Grant funding levels.
Council approved that the decision regarding exact funding sources be determined during the 2024–2027 multi-year budget deliberations.
Council also approved that the Museums remain independent operations and the Municipality, through the Community Culture & Connections area, offer support by establishing regular and collaborative meetings and work with the museums to establish a performance reporting template that facilitates the identification of goals and objectives and provides an update to Council on progress and achievements.
Read the full report, here.
