Arts centre gets thumbs-up from U of A

The University of Alberta is still on-board to become the major tenant at Edmonton’s proposed downtown performing arts centre, despite recent funding cuts, the dean of arts says.

The U of A wants to move its school of music, faculty of art and design, and one other faculty or department to the $850-million centre, which would help cover the project’s cost by leasing about half the space.

Although the province cut the university’s operating funds by seven per cent in last month’s budget, arts dean Lesley Cormack said Monday the U of A remains interested in the plan.

“This is a very different budgeting process than the operating budget. … This would be a new development,” she said, adding the music school has needed extra space for 30 years.

“I do think it’s timely … We want Edmonton to have a more vibrant downtown.”

The province must approve the additional money needed for the expansion.

While Cormack couldn’t say how much that would cost, she said initial discussions with provincial officials have been favourable.

“I think this is a perfect opportunity about the connection between the university, the city and the province.”

Irving Kipness, a director of the non-profit foundation behind the plan, said he has also heard positive words from deputy premier Thomas Lukaszuk. “He’s assured me that they are still on-board to support this.”

The comments came as council’s executive committee voted to ask staff to determine the cost of acquiring the public school maintenance yard at 10515 100th St. for the site of a 1,600-seat theatre.

The project would see this facility and three smaller theatres or concert halls erected northeast of 101st Street and 104th Avenue, along with rehearsal space and an open-air galleria. It would house 5,000 to 10,000 U of A students, staff and faculty, who could easily travel back and forth to the main campus on the LRT, Cormack said.

“I love the idea of more students downtown,” said Coun. Don Iveson.

Lease income from the U of A, a commercial office tower and a 600-stall underground parking garage would pay all operating costs and payments on a $650-million mortgage.

Organizers, who want to raise $100 million from governments, $50 million in grants and $50 million in donations, hope to start construction in July 2014 and open on Canada’s 150th birthday July 1, 2017.

Their research shows Edmonton needs extra theatres to ease pressure on the Jubilee Auditorium and provide space for smaller companies.

The city is looking at giving an unspecified amount of money to the centre, now being called the Galleria, from a community revitalization levy using property taxes on development around the downtown arena.

Although the future of the arena is uncertain, foundation director Jim Brown said it’s an important part of their plan.