The York Theatre: in danger
Heather Redfern, Executive Director of the "Vancouver East Cultural Centre":http://www.thecultch.com/, has sent out an urgent plea to members of the performing arts community about the fate of the York Theatre on Commercial Drive in Vancouver. Redfern is requesting that people turn up at City Hall on December 18 to show their support to save this historic theatre. The full text of the letter is posted below.
Built in 1913, and originally known as the Alcazar, the York seats 500 and is an important part of Vancouver’s theatre history. For 54 years, it was the home the Vancouver Little Theatre, starting in 1923. As the "Vancouver Arts and Culture Forum":http://www.vancouverartsandculturesforum.com/home/a-history-of-the-york-... website describes it, “during much of that time Vancouver Little Theatre was virtually the only live theatre seen in the city. Many well known performers received their first opportunity and experience in The Little Theatre.”
But it’s not just its historical significance that makes the York important. Theatre in Vancouver is suffering from an infrastructure crisis. There are simply not enough venues. As Tom Durrie, who has been campaigning for years to save the theatre puts it, again on the Forum’s website:
_In a city sorely lacking in performance space, it is sad to see a beautiful and practical small theatre sitting dark and unused. A survey carried out by the Coal Harbour Theatre Project showed that a theatre of 500-600 seats was cited as the most urgent need by performing groups in the city. The theatre we are talking about is just that size, and it is not a converted warehouse or church, it was built as a theatre. It has a proscenium stage, a fly tower, balcony with loges, and excellent acoustics_
You can find out more about the York theatre at the Forum’s "website":http://www.vancouverartsandculturesforum.com/category/interests/future-o....
Here’s the text of Heather’s letter:
Hello All,
We need your help!! As many of you are aware The Cultch has been involved in a last ditch effort to save the York Theatre on Commercial Drive. We have a benefactor who will purchase and pay for the complete restoration of the theatre in exchange for increased density on another site in the City. Unfortunately a staff report that will be going to City Council on Dec. 18 does not recommend full support of this project. The Vancouver East Cultural Centre can not support this report because it recommends council support a density transfer of only 1/3 of the capital needed and recommends The Cultch fundraise for the remaining 2/3’s; something the Cultch is not in a position to do. AFTER JANUARY 15, 2009 THE CURRENT OWNER WILL HAVE THE RIGHT TO BEGIN DEMOLITION OF THE YORK THEATRE and while the report recommends council ask him to voluntarily postpone demolition, he has made it clear to us that his intention is to tear the building down as soon as possible. I believe this is the last chance to save this historic theatre before it is destroyed forever, THEREFORE WE NEED THE CITY TO APPROVE 100% DENSITY TRANSFER. This transfer does not cost the city any money but it will SAVE THE YORK THEATRE.
PLEASE COME TO CITY COUNCIL ON DECEMBER 18 at 9:30 am to show your support for THE YORK THEATRE.
For your information the staff report is attached to this e-mail. If you want more information call me or e-mail me. I will be addressing council at the meeting and if you wish to speak the number to call to be put on the speakers list is below. It would be great to hear from the community at large as well as artists. I believe there still could be a political solution to this but we have to have a good show of support at the council meeting. If you can’t make the meeting please e-mail the Mayor and Council asking them to support a density transfer of 100% to Save the York Theatre. Follow this link for their e-mail addresses. http://vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/mayorcouncil/index.htm . It is best when e-mailing council to send the e-mails individually rather than one e-mail to the mayor and council address.
The meeting starts at 9:30 am on THURSDAY DECEMBER 18.
Thank you so much for your support of the York Theatre over the last several years. Hopefully this is the last time we have to do this.
Heather
Heather Redfern
Executive Director
Vancouver East Cultural Centre
1895 Venables Street
Vancouver, BC V5L 2H6