Burlington Performing Arts Centre - Frequently Asked Questions
1. How will the Burlington Performing Arts Centre (BPAC) serve the Burlington community?
The Burlington Performing Arts Centre (BPAC) will be a multi-purpose facility that includes a main theatre to accommodate theatrical and musical productions, a studio theatre to be used for community presentations, and a lobby that will serve as a venue for receptions, exhibitions, corporate functions and civic events.
2. What additional benefits will the facility provide?
The BPAC will provide many additional benefits beyond direct programming such as enhancing the education system; building social capital and community engagement; supporting the revitalization of Burlington’s downtown community; promoting multiculturalism and attracting creative industries and services to the city.
3. Where will the facility be located?
The BPAC will be located on the south west corner of Elgin and Locust Streets (the site of the former Halton Regional Police station District #3 – 30 Division, now located at 3800 Southhampton Boulevard).
4. When is the building scheduled to open?
The projected date is 2011.
5. What is the projected size of the building?
The building will be approximately 62,000 square feet.
6. What are the key design features of the facility?
The project has three significant components; a 718-seat main stage theatre; a 225-seat studio theatre; and a large lobby to serve as a performance lobby (a common lobby for the two theatres), as well as a multi-purpose room for community and corporate functions, special events, conventions, etc.
7. Who selected the name for the BPAC?
One of the project’s largest sponsors was given naming rights to the facility and chose the Burlington Performing Arts Centre.
8. Who is the project architect?
The building is being designed by Diamond + Schmitt Architects Inc.
9. What are the project costs?
The total project cost is $36.2 million, excluding land cost. The total land cost is $3.7 million.
10. What is the total cost breakdown?
Funding for Land
Hydro Investment $3,000,000
Reserve Fund $700,000
Funding for Construction
Fundraising $11,000,000
Federal Government $4,000,000
Property Taxes $6,300,000
Hydro Investment $14,900,000
11. What is the Hydro investment? How does this work?
In 1998 the Provincial Government introduced the Electricity Act, 1998. The purpose of this legislation was to introduce competition into the electricity industry. This was accomplished by converting public utilities from a commission operated by the municipality to a corporation under the Ontario Business Corporations Act.
Many municipalities took the opportunity to determine whether they wanted to retain or sell their utilities. The City of Burlington made a strategic decision to retain their utility, understanding that as sole shareholder of the utility, they would be entitled to dividends just as the shareholder of any other corporation may be entitled.
The utility provides to the city as shareholder, any funds in excess of their operating and capital needs that they may earn in a given year. This provides a steady income stream to the city which is put aside in a reserve fund. The accumulated funds in the reserve fund act as a source of financing for the City for extraordinary capital works that it may wish to undertake. This helps alleviate the impact to the taxpayer for special projects that enhance the quality of life in the community but are outside of the normal capital works such as road repair that the city routinely undertakes. By utilizing the hydro reserve fund for such projects the city reduces its reliance on debt as a funding source and alleviates the burden on the taxpayer of paying interest on the debt.
12. What government financial commitments have been secured to date?
The Federal Government has committed $4 million. The City is still pursuing the Provincial Government funding for an additional $3 million. If the City receives provincial funding it would displace $3 million from the Hydro Investment.
13. What community fundraising dollars have been received to date?
Community fundraising has secured $9.1 million. The total goal is $11 million.
14. How is the city working to ensure that the final project comes in on budget?
The city has hired an external project management firm, MHPM, to work on cost containment and provide checks and balances throughout each stage of the project.
15. Where are facility visitors expected to park?
A seven-storey parking garage is located directly beside the facility at 414 Locust Street. The garage can hold 380 vehicles. Additional parking is available behind the facility along with 7 other city parking lots within the downtown area. There are a total of 600 parking spaces within a 250 metre (820 feet) walking distance from the PBAC.
16. Have new accessibility guidelines been included in the design?
Yes. Accessibility has been taken into consideration throughout the entire design process including wheelchair accessible theatre seating and washrooms as well as an elevator. The design details for the Burlington Performing Arts Centre have been reviewed by the Burlington Accessibility Advisory Committee (BAAC). The BPAC project will continue to work closely with the BAAC on this project.
17. What environmental features will be included in the project?
The new building will be LEED Certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).
18. What are the advantages of having LEED Certification?
Advantages of LEED Certification include community leadership, reduced environmental impact (e.g. greenhouse gas emissions, water use), and annual reduction in energy costs for the city.
19. Is there a demand for arts and cultural programming in Burlington?
Yes. During a 2004 public survey on the BPAC, 26% of respondents indicated that someone in their household was involved in a performing arts program or group over the past 12 months and 79% of respondents indicated that someone in their household attended at least one live indoor performance over the past 12 months.
20. What type of programming is anticipated for the BPAC?
Along with 60 established performing arts groups that are interested in presenting their shows and series at the BPAC, the City of Burlington will offer a self-presented, professional season. The community and professional performance programming includes plays, classical and modern dance and music performances ranging from symphonic to jazz to pop. There is a level of intimacy to these arts that is not suited to an arena or music venue complex such as Hamilton’s Copps Coliseum.
21. How many visitors are expected to visit the facility in the first year of operation?
The City of Burlington is expecting about 100,000 people to visit the facility each year. Half are anticipated to visit for travelling shows and half for local productions.
22. What will the annual operating cost be for the BPAC?
The annual tax supported municipal operating contribution will be approximately $500,000 per year. For the average household with a property value of $300,000, based on a 2008 assessment, that would be $6 per year.
23. Will municipal tax hikes be put in place specifically to pay for the BPAC?
This project was approved as part of the 2008 Capital Budget whereby $6.3 million in tax supported funding was approved for this project. The tax funding represents about 17 per cent of the total funding for this project, less when taking into consideration the purchase of the land. The funding from the property tax base to finance the tax debt, results in an estimated tax impact of approximately $5 per year for the average house that is assessed at $300,000 for the next 15 years.
24. Is the Burlington Performing Arts Centre project approved by Council?
Yes. The Burlington Performing Arts Centre project has been approved to go forward to the tender process.
25. What is the next stage in the approval process for this project?
The next stage of approval is to award the construction tender. A report on the tender is expected to be presented to committee in February 2009.