New Study Looks at Cultural Precinct, Concert Halls

[Sheba]

I'm not trying to start a flame war - but why is it all of this has to be in downtown Van? If they're building up Surrey Central to be the downtown for SoF, then why can't some of this kind of thing be built there? There are already plans to build an arena and art gallery in Surrey Central...

[s211]

This whole review has so much pie in its sky that this will soon die from diabetic shock.

The new art gallery pretty much has coins on its eyes. The city couldn't even complete upgrades to the music hall several years ago because it ran out of money.

For a city with a poor reputation for supporting the arts, and little cultural cohesion to support large arts endeavours, there's no way this will happen without a massive contribution from donors. Corporate donations of size likely won't happen in this city, given the city's past antagonistic relationship with the corporate sector, and persons of wealth.

[mcj]

Originally Posted by Sheba

I'm not trying to start a flame war - but why is it all of this has to be in downtown Van? If they're building up Surrey Central to be the downtown for SoF, then why can't some of this kind of thing be built there? There are already plans to build an arena and art gallery in Surrey Central...

They identify it in the study, and it's because they're trying to take advantage of the agglomeration effect by being nearby to our existing cluster of venues.

[Glow Fun City]

Originally Posted by mcj

They identify it in the study, and it's because they're trying to take advantage of the agglomeration effect by being nearby to our existing cluster of venues.

As well as transit/pedestrian access, restaurants, bars, hotels, public visibility, etc.


Vancouver had a great concentration of theatres downtown in the middle of the 20th century, so it would be nice to have something like that again! I doubt we will see any of these projects happen soon, but it's good to get live performance venues into the planning discussions for these sites and others.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by Sheba

I'm not trying to start a flame war - but why is it all of this has to be in downtown Van? If they're building up Surrey Central to be the downtown for SoF, then why can't some of this kind of thing be built there? There are already plans to build an arena and art gallery in Surrey Central...

It's not the "Surrey" Cultural Precinct - they probably don't want to relocate when they already have venues downtown.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by Sheba

I'm not trying to start a flame war - but why is it all of this has to be in downtown Van? If they're building up Surrey Central to be the downtown for SoF, then why can't some of this kind of thing be built there? There are already plans to build an arena and art gallery in Surrey Central...

It would be interesting to see where the majority of their ticket buyers/subscribers come from. I suspect there is a substantial contingent from the North Shore which pretty much makes Surrey a non-starter due to distance.

Downtown works because numerous transit lines converge there, there’s lots of (pay) parking, restaurants are there for pre-event dinners and hotels are there for out of town guests. Those are the same reasons the Whitecaps should stay downtown and not move to Hastings Park.

[officedweller]

Drabinsky build the Ford Theatre for $27million and sold it to Four Brothers for $7.8million who then sold it to Westside Church.
Despite flaws, no one jumped at the chance to buy the facility back then (Articles from 2013 and 2017).

Huge blow to arts and culture: The Centre for the Performing Arts sold to evangelical church
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/huge-blo...ld-to-evangelical-church#google_vignette

Performing arts centre won't be missed, theatre critic says
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-c...-be-missed-theatre-critic-says-1.1364598

[Glow Fun City]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Drabinsky build the Ford Theatre for $27million and sold it to Four Brothers for $7.8million who then sold it to Westside Church.
Despite flaws, no one jumped at the chance to buy the facility back then (Articles from 2013 and 2017).

Huge blow to arts and culture: The Centre for the Performing Arts sold to evangelical church
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/huge-blo...ld-to-evangelical-church#google_vignette

Performing arts centre won't be missed, theatre critic says
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-c...-be-missed-theatre-critic-says-1.1364598

Yeah, the City should have bought it when they had the chance! The theatre isn’t perfect, but the price was.

[logan5]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Drabinsky build the Ford Theatre for $27million and sold it to Four Brothers for $7.8million who then sold it to Westside Church.
Despite flaws, no one jumped at the chance to buy the facility back then (Articles from 2013 and 2017).

Huge blow to arts and culture: The Centre for the Performing Arts sold to evangelical church
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/huge-blo...ld-to-evangelical-church#google_vignette

Performing arts centre won't be missed, theatre critic says
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-c...-be-missed-theatre-critic-says-1.1364598

I remember that. My comments on that were the only time I was ever suspended.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by Glow Fun City

Yeah, the City should have bought it when they had the chance! The theatre isn’t perfect, but the price was.

Meh, it was designed for really one thing-big amplified Broadway touring shows. Not suitable as a concert hall.

The most telling quote from that article is this:

… Those are two very different stories. The Playhouse was a resident theatre company that was in that theatre for 50 years and its failure is a significant failure that speaks to the cultural life of Vancouver," he said.…

Vancouver’s never been a big culture city. We have venues, even if imperfect ones, now. The Orpheum, the QE Theatre, the Playhouse and Chan Centre all exist. Sure, there’s no acoustically perfect 1,200 seat theatre right downtown but that’s a pretty niche venue.

[s211]

Originally Posted by whatnext

I suspect there is a substantial contingent from the North Shore which pretty much makes Surrey a non-starter due to distance.

There's a very substantial contingency on the North Shore that won't even go into Vancouver, let alone further afield, because of the timing unpredictability created by the bridges. Good luck making a time-specific event unless you build a massive buffer into your schedule.

[Glow Fun City]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Meh, it was designed for really one thing-big amplified Broadway touring shows. Not suitable as a concert hall.

Sure, but moving some of the touring concerts, Broadway tours, comedy, etc, etc to The Centre would free up more dates at the Orpheum and Queen E (especially for shows which might struggle to fill 2,700 seats at either of those).