Imperial Theatre Could Lose Municipal Funding

Imperial Theatre could face closure if Saint John council removes it from the Regional Facilities Commission, according to its executive director.

It is one of the options the city is considering to address its multi-million dollar structural deficit.

Angela Campbell, executive director of the theatre, said the move would have a “substantial” impact on the facility.

“We rely on municipal support for about 25 per cent of our operational budget,” said Campbell.

Figures provided by the theatre show that amounts to nearly $550,000 a year.

Much of the money comes from Saint John, but Campbell said the theatre would also lose funding it receives from Rothesay, Quispamsis and Grand Bay-Westfield if it were no longer part of the commission.

Campbell said they would have to consider layoffs and fewer performances in order to keep their doors open.

“The only way that we would be able to do that would be to increase ticket prices to a point that people within the city wouldn’t be able to afford to come, which is a complete drift from our mission, which is to be an accessible performing arts centre within the community,” she said.

Even a significant increase in corporate sponsorship would not be enough to help offset that sort of funding cut, said the theatre.

Campbell said the loss of municipal funding would also have an impact on the community as a whole.

“We know that having a strong and vibrant arts and culture community helps with population retention, it helps with population growth, attracting new people to come to the city,” she said.

Imperial Theatre has written to council asking them to reject the proposal. The letter is expected to be received at Monday night’s council meeting.

The theatre is one of five facilities which receive funding through the Regional Facilities Commission. The others include TD Station, the Canada Games Aquatic Centre, the Saint John Trade and Convention Centre, and the Saint John Arts Centre.

Council is considering dozens of ideas to help address its structural deficit in 2021 and 2022. They are expected to decide which options to move ahead within the coming weeks.