We need to look at all city arts venues
THE difference in dealing with Sammy’s and the Fortune Theatre highlights the ad hoc way the DCC approaches support of venues for performing arts in Dunedin.
Early in 2017 the DCC took over the leasehold interest (ownership of the buildings but not of the land) in Sammy’s. This was bought for $128,000, using the chief executive’s powers to spend up to $500,000 without permission from the council.
According to a report to council in June of 2017, the purchase came from an identified need for performing arts venue in Dunedin with a capacity of 500800. In this report Sammy’s was described as an iconic venue, a strong desire among performing artists and audiences for the continued use of the building was cited, and there was a statement that it is best practice that heritage buildings be kept for their intended use.
It was recommended the building be retained by council to engage with the community about what it would be used for and the costs of such use, since no idea of costs had been established.
Ominously it was proposed to add Sammy’s to the ‘‘stable’’ of Dunedin Venues Management Ltd (DVML).
Come October 2017 and a survey of Dunedin residents (201 of them) said 56% wanted it turned back into a live venue, 21% chose a youth centre and 10% an indoor climbing facility.
Roll on to the end of 2017 and the longterm plan included $5 million for any potential work needed on the Sammy’s building. It had been found to be earthquake prone, and the consultation with the community about what to do with it was foreshadowed again.
So from an identified need for a particularsized venue, to a purchase of a building on leasehold land without council input, we now own arguably one of the ugliest buildings in Dunedin, with fond memories and an indeterminate price tag for restoration, and are asking people about what we want to use it for.
Compare that with the situation we find ourselves in concerning the Fortune
Theatre. The building the Fortune has most recently occupied is the building at 231 Stuart St. This wonderful ex Trinity Church was purchased by the Fortune Theatre Trust in 1977, and subsequently sold for financial reasons to the council, which remains the owner.
When the financial struggles of The Fortune Theatre Trust were overwhelming and it folded up its metaphorical tent in May, it left the DCC with a heritage building with no tenant.
We have a different model again with the Regent Theatre. The Regent Theatre Trust gave its theatre and facilities to Dunedin in 1979, and now describes itself as working in partnership with the DCC.
The Regent Theatre is a world heritage site. The Fortune Theatre is a listed historic building. The Globe Theatre is a category I historic place. The Mayfair is a category II historic place.
Sammy’s is none of the above. Apparently, according to Cr Aaron Hawkins, the ‘‘value of [Sammy’s] as an asset was best expressed through the anxieties people seem to feel around the potential of losing it’’.
As decisions are being made about what to do with the ‘‘iconic’’ but ugly venue known as Sammy’s, a thought should be given to what to do with the existing heritage building that is the exFortune Theatre and, furthermore, about how decisions are made concerning what support to provide to such venues in Dunedin.
Questions could also usefully be asked about such things as:
A Why is the council so sure we need a 500 to 800person venue, when Sammy’s has been sitting vacant for years because it has not been supported?
A Why do we have a DCC strategy with a group to look at overseeing spending arts money and then not consult them?
A Why does this strategy not even mention what theatre venues may be needed in Dunedin?
A Why were no comparisons made before we ended up with $5 million in the budget for an unknown investment in Sammy’s, ahead of support for other venues?
A Where do the other community and educational venues such as school and university auditoriums fit into the picture?
A Why would this particular venue be taken out of the need to support itself by being added to DVML, where there is no need to even attempt to match income with expenditure?
A And what about venues such as the Mayfair, and the Playhouse, and the Globe, left as beggars while other venues are scooped up and taken over by ratepayers?
Until we deal with these questions, asking about what to do with Sammy’s and $5 million seems a waste of the time and money such a consultation would involve. And the whole process concerning Sammy’s is reinforced as a case of ready, fire, aim. —hcalvert@xtra.co.nz