Jobs on hold as Showplace struggles with budget deficit

Showplace Performance Centre is struggling with a deficit and won’t be hiring “until we turn things around,” says the chairwoman of the board – even though two managers recently left.

Ray Marshall, general manager for the last 11 years, doesn’t work there anymore. Board chairwoman Pat Hooper recently wrote in an email conversation that he resigned.

John Milton, a technical manager, also doesn’t work there anymore. Hooper wrote his position was “eliminated,” leaving one technical manager where there had previously been two.

That leaves four full-time staff running the downtown performance venue, where there had been six (plus a large crew of ushers, all volunteers).

The board will stick with the current number of paid staff, Hooper wrote, as part of their cost savings.

Although Hooper stated that Showplace “has been dealing with a deficit budget for a few years,” she wouldn’t say how much of a deficit.

At least not now: She wrote in her email that their year-end is June 30, and they don’t have the final figures from auditors yet.

She will be “glad” to share the final numbers when they are available, she wrote. Meanwhile, the deficit position is clearly not where the board of directors would like to be.

“The board has developed a new strategic and financial plan to move us out of this position as soon as possible,” Hooper wrote.

There could be some form of help coming from the city: Hooper stated that there have been discussions with Ken Doherty, the city’s community services director, about ways the city could potentially help.

Doherty said in an interview that Showplace has requested debt relief, a bigger service grant or capital funding from the city to make necessary retrofits more affordable.

They aren’t talking about the city taking over Showplace, though: “We’ve never had that discussion,” Doherty said.

Service grants from the city are meant for not-for-profit organizations that offer services the city would otherwise be expected to offer.

Showplace Performance Centre received a service grant of $108,000 for 2017, according to Hooper.

Showplace is 20 years old, and Hooper pointed out that there are renovations to be done and equipment to be replaced.

They need new chairs, for example, as well as a new marquee. Also, the front door of the venue doesn’t meet with the city’s updated accessibility standards, Hooper stated.

Meanwhile, performers are organizing a fundraiser to try to help.

Beth McMaster, Len Lifchus and Danny Bronson are assembling a large cast to perform a show at the end of October as a fundraiser for Showplace.

Showplace Celebrates – Tonic @Twenty will be held at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28 and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29.

To buy tickets or get more details, visit http://www.showplace.org/