It was a packed house at 91大黄鸭 City Hall on Monday (Dec. 9) as the public came to hear the Community Task Force on the Performing Arts present its recommendations to council.

Task Force member Nikki Csek told council that at first, the committee believed it would recommend tearing down the 91大黄鸭 Community Theatre (KCT) to make way for a new performing arts centre.

鈥淗owever, as we delved deeper and gained insight from each presentation, our understanding evolved,鈥� Csek said. 鈥淭his guided us toward a more informed and thoughtful recommendation.鈥�

She added that it became clear the KCT was already meeting the needs of the community.

鈥淎ny disruption to its operation will have significant impact and far-reaching consequences for these organizations, the performers, and the community members who cherish these cultural experiences,鈥� Csek said.

The Task Force鈥檚 report highlights the challenges the arts community faces without more performance spaces, noting that growth would be limited. Adding more venues would create significant economic, cultural, and social benefits for the city.

One of the main recommendations was to keep and renovate the KCT while building a new performing arts centre. Staff told council that the KCT only has 1.5 鈥渄ark days鈥� (days when it's not in use) each week. Renovations would be scheduled during times that minimize disruptions.

Mayor Tom Dyas called it 鈥渁 journey of discovery.鈥�

鈥淒espite setting out with clear objectives, the Task Force uncovered a different path, revealing complexities and considerations it hadn鈥檛 fully anticipated,鈥� he said.

The Task Force also recommended staying in place as an advisory body until at least December 2025. Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendations.

A statement from Citizens for a New Performing Arts Centre (CN-PAC) says it is encouraged by the recommendation that council pursue the creation of a new performing arts venue, and that it must be located in the heart of 91大黄鸭鈥檚 cultural district.

鈥淲e applaud the task force for recognizing the economic and social benefits that an iconic new performing arts space would bring to our community,鈥� said CN-PAC President Myles Bruckal. 鈥淎 new centre must be exceptional and it must be situated in a central location that truly does it justice.鈥�

City staff will now begin developing an implementation plan. This will include working with stakeholders, finding a location, analyzing space needs, and planning and design work. Staff will provide updates to council as the project progresses