The floors were replaced in 2012 at the Pavilion Theatre and now the theatre is facing a summer shutdown as the heating and ventilation system is replaced.

Image Credit: WCTLive.ca

KAMLOOPS — The Pavilion Theatre is looking at a summer shut down as Western Canada Theatre addresses yet another part of the building in desperate need of renovations — the heating and ventilation.

“It was an old renovated building when we took it over,” General Manager Lori Marchand says, “Some of the issues have grown to the point where we're spending so much money keeping it going. We need to address them instead of just doing bandaid fixes.”

Last summer the roof was repaired and the next project on the agenda is the heating, cooling and ventilation system. Marchand notes parts of the building don't have any ventilation so this project will be quite large.

“The renovations are huge, they're a huge priority for us right now,” she says. “This building is well loved and it shows. The heating and cooling system can just no longer handle the demands of our expanded activities.  (The renovations are) necessary to keep the building functioning, habitable and safe for artists and community members.”

The plan start renovations in May and be finished up at least the major parts by the end of August so they can start preparing for the season. In order to be able to do that they need to secure enough funding to cover the $171,000 cost. Some of that funding is coming from the city, some through in kind donations (labour and the general contractor) and several other grant or funding applications are also currently in the works.

Marchand says they have been trying to keep the balance between applying for funding for these major renovations and keeping the theatre running. Over the next three months four more productions are planned (all at Sagebrush Theatre) and Marchand is trying to complete several applications, including one for a Canadian Heritage Grant, during that time as well.

“It's the largest and most complex grant, but it also has the most potential financially,” she says.

The closure will impact the summer months, Marchand says, but shouldn't affect the theatre financially beyond the cost of the actual renovation.

In total 25 other organizations, from other theatre and dance groups to the Indian Friendship Centre and the Miss Kamloops Pageant, also use the Pavilion Theatre. More than 10,000 people come through the theatre doors every year. The city leases the Pavilion Theatre at an annual cost of $1 to the group, though the group is responsible for all required upgrades and maintenance.

To contact a reporter for this story, email jstahn@infotelnews.ca, call (250)819-3723 or tweet @JennStahn.

News from © iNFOnews, 2014