Shakespeare on Saskatchewan plans new pavilions
Organizers optimistic they can raise $3M for new facilities without taxpayer aid
Any concern that redevelopment of the Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan site will cost taxpayers substantially is much ado about nothing, the festival’s artistic producer says.
Will Brooks was among the people who appeared at a special city council committee meeting on Wednesday to outline visions for future recreation and culture facilities.
He said festival officials want to build two permanent pavilions on the riverfront site that has been home to the annual festival for 33 seasons.
The capital costs are expected to be about $3 million, but Brooks told council the organization is not seeking any money from the city.
“We feel very, very confident we can raise the $3 million,” he said.
The festival would like a longerterm lease from the city to help justify the expense of building permanent facilities.
It aims to start construction in the fall of 2018 and open the new facility in July 2019.
Operating an eight-week summer site has proved extremely inefficient for the festival, which stages two plays every season, Brooks said.
The permanent facility could operate year-round and be rented by other groups.
There are no immediate plans to stage Shakespeare plays outside the summer season, but that possibility could be explored in the future, he said in an interview.
Coun. Bev Dubois said there are concerns about parking and washroom facilities near the festival site.
“It’s a huge issue in the area,” she said.
The site is nestled in an ideal spot on the west bank of the South Saskatchewan River, north of the University Bridge and just south of the former Mendel Art Gallery building and the launch dock for the Prairie Lily riverboat.
On the other side of Spadina Crescent lies the redeveloped Kinsmen Park with PotashCorp Playland. The Children’s Discovery Museum is expected to open in the Mendel building in early 2019, which could create more parking pressure.
Just northwest of the festival site are two public parking lots that combined can accommodate 80 vehicles. The parking lot in Kinsmen Park can accommodate 56 more. The city also operates seasonal washrooms next to the festival site.
Brooks downplayed concerns about parking, noting an agreement was made this summer to use some of the parking spots at City Hospital, which is located northwest of Kinsmen Park.
Festival officials are working with On the Boards Staging Company, a Saskatoon-based non-profit organization, on the redevelopment plan.
The festival’s 2018 season will include three plays, including Hamlet, and, for the first time, a production of Titus Andronicus featuring puppets.
We feel very, very confident we can raise the $3 million.