Town takes over Stouffville arts centre from volunteer board

Yorkregion.com
March 4, 2015
By Sandra Bolan

The volunteer board of directors for the Lebovic Centre for Arts and Entertainment - Nineteen on the Park was relieved of its duties by Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville council Tuesday night.

Representatives from the facility’s board of directors attended this week’s council meeting requesting $102,349 to cover its 2014 deficit.

Following a presentation that highlighted the 2014 highs - 10 sold-out shows and more than 3,000 tickets sold - as well as the lows - a revenue shortfall of $48,000 and programming cost overruns to the tune of $54,600 - council passed a surprise motion stripping the board of its duties.

As of midnight March 3, town staff was in charge of the Main Street arts centre.

“The problem is if we don’t get a handle on this, it’s going to spiral out of control,” said Councillor Hugo Kroon, who put the motion to dissolve the board on the floor.

Councillor Iain Lovatt requested a recorded vote, which was four to three in favour of removing the board.

Along with Kroon, councillors Ken Ferdinands, Maurice Smith and Rick Upton voted to remove the board, while Mayor Justin Altmann and councillors Lovatt and Rob Hargrave opposed it.

Hargrave called Kroon’s motion “a little premature” and “a little bit drastic” stating, instead, he wanted other operational models investigated, such as a public/private partnership.

Many of the councillors commended French and board for their service.

The Sun-Tribune reached out to French for comment but he did not want to comment at this time, he said.

“Patrons and subscribers should not notice any changes and will still continue to enjoy great arts and culture programming within this intimate venue,” stated, in part, a message emailed to Nineteen on the Park patrons and subscribers by Ashley McIntosh, the venue’s acting cultural facility and programming co-ordinator, informing them of council’s decision.

“The new oversight will strengthen the Lebovic Centre for Arts and Entertainment - Nineteen on the Park as one of York Region's premier arts and culture destinations. ...We look forward to a busy and arts-filled year ahead and continue to thank you for your continued support of Nineteen on the Park and the arts in Stouffville,” stated the message.

From 2011 to 2013, the town provided $144,419 to the facility to cover its annual deficits of $77,142 (2011), $35,212 (2012) and $32,065 (2013).

Upton called the $70,284 deficit increase from 2013 to 2014 “unacceptable”.

Part of the problem in 2014, according to French, was corporate sponsorship was down and fundraising efforts did not work out as planned.

Its Snowball gala late last year was almost cancelled due to poor ticket sales, but attendees came through in the end and the event was held, French told the meeting.

“It’s a shame your fundraising barely covered your phone bill,” Upton said.