The total cost of the project is estimated at $101 million, with additional costs expected for land acquisition, start-up costs, financing etc. Of this, Brock University’s Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts (MIW SFPA) component of the project is roughly $43 million, while the Niagara Centre for the Arts capital project is estimated at $58 million.
To date, $54 million has been confirmed for the arts centre component of the project. The Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario made a joint announcement on May 22, 2009 confirming a $36 million contribution to the project. Mayor Brian McMullan confirmed City Council’s commitment of an additional $18 million for the project.
Brock University has made the relocation of its MIW SFPA to downtown St. Catharines one of the priorities of its capital fundraising campaign, as announced in March 2009.
In November 2008, Brock announced the new naming of the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts (MIW SFPA) in recognition of award-winning artist and philanthropist Marilyn Walker’s donation of $15 million to an endowment for the school. The donation is the largest in the history of Brock University and speaks to the significance that community leaders place on the growth of the arts sector as part of the future of our region. Additional fundraising will be undertaken, as required, to meet the goals of the project.
It is our understanding that the City’s goal is to not increase taxes for this project. Yes, City money will be required to build the facility as well as operate it, however, new sources of revenue are in the works that may offset some if not all of these costs. Talk to your local City Councillor for the latest update on this subject.
What about the current Centre for the Arts at Brock University?
Today’s Centre for the Arts, Brock University (CFTA) will be at the heart of tomorrow’s Niagara Centre for the Arts. The new arts centre will no longer be a Brock University operation but the staff and programming of the CFTA will be moving downtown in bigger and better facilities. That means more programming, and more seats for audiences who are packing the house in the smaller Sean O Sullivan Theatre at Brock. The current CFTA’s commitment to a quality audience experience will be a cornerstone of the new facility.
What will it cost to run the new Niagara Centre for the Arts?
The consulting team has provided detailed budgets for the first five years of the NCFA’s operations. It has a $4.5 million operating budget per year, with thousands of people coming through the doors, and hundreds of events each year. Of this, roughly $3 million will be earned revenue – through ticket sales, concessions, facility rentals etc. The additional $1.5 million will be generated through fundraising, grants and annual investments from Brock University and possibly the City.
How will the partnership between Brock and the City work?
All decisions and operating costs for the new MIW SFPA will remain the responsibility of Brock University. For the NCFA, the details of how it will be managed and financially supported are still being worked out. President Jack Lightstone has made the commitment in public that Brock is prepared to commit $800,000 annually to support the operating of the new arts centre.
Ultimately, the City and Brock University are developing a partnership for this venture that is new – there are no examples of this type of partnership elsewhere in North America. So we expect more news will be forthcoming on how they expect the partnership to work.
How will this project help downtown St. Catharines?
A new arts centre and academic centre mean more people in downtown, by day with the student activity at the MIW SFPA and by night with the NCFA performances and events. More people equals more business activity, a greater sense of safety, and a stronger downtown community that will in turn attract new residents and new business.
The project will have immediate economic impact as it is being built, as well as ongoing impact once it is open and operating. Consultants have estimated that
one-time impacts from project development and start-up will be:
$16 million in direct net new tax revenue
total direct and indirect impacts of $178 million
annual direct and indirect impact will be over $16 million per year.
Parking will be provided at lots throughout the downtown core to encourage pedestrian traffic through downtown to the arts centre. A new parking garage on Carlisle Street is one of City Council’s top priorities – they’re aware of the need for good parking, for cars and bikes, as well as quality transit into downtown. So there will be plenty of parking nearby, as well as transit options, and wheelchair-accessible parking will be available on-site.
How will this project benefit the rest of Niagara?
Artists and audiences across Niagara will be the first to benefit, but our business sector and tourism sectors will also be served by the development. Since the success of the 2008 Niagarapalooza, community leaders are acknowledging that the future of Niagara is linked to the knowledge-based economy. Richard Florida’s “creative class” includes artists and cultural workers, and growth in the cultural sector will in turn stimulate renewed interest in our region as a progressive, innovative community open for business.
Brock University is a regional university and the strengthening of its infrastructure will attract more students and faculty, and support future expansion of its academic offerings.
By growing our arts community we will, in turn, be developing talent and creative products for tomorrow’s tourist. The NCFA has a strong cultural development component to its programming, which will generate more opportunities for residents and visitors to participate and experience the arts.
How will a satellite location benefit Brock University?
Brock University is bursting at the seams. The project provides the MIW SFPA with much-needed academic space which will lead to future growth in enrolment, faculty and programming.
The university will have a stronger presence in community which will allow for creative partnerships, more experiences within the professional arts scene for students, and a chance for Niagara residents to discover the many talents being nurtured at the MIW SFPA through exhibits and performances.
While the MIW SFPA will continue to operate under the exclusive jurisdiction of Brock University, the consulting team has recommended the Niagara Centre for the Arts be governed by a yet-to-be-developed not-for-profit organization that would provide equal responsiveness to the University and the City’s constituents.
What are the environmental implications of this project?
To date what we know is all good. The City and Brock are committed to a Silver LEED designation – that’s Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design, a system that measures standards of construction and design to ensure responsible stewardship. As well, by using the Canada Hair Cloth Building as the new site for the MIW SFPA, the partnership is regenerating a brownfield site, turning a former manufacturing site into a facility that will serve generations of Niagara students.
FAQs
How much will the project cost?
The total cost of the project is estimated at $101 million, with additional costs expected for land acquisition, start-up costs, financing etc. Of this, Brock University’s Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts (MIW SFPA) component of the project is roughly $43 million, while the Niagara Centre for the Arts capital project is estimated at $58 million.
See all FAQs
How will the project be funded?
To date, $54 million has been confirmed for the arts centre component of the project. The Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario made a joint announcement on May 22, 2009 confirming a $36 million contribution to the project. Mayor Brian McMullan confirmed City Council’s commitment of an additional $18 million for the project.
Brock University has made the relocation of its MIW SFPA to downtown St. Catharines one of the priorities of its capital fundraising campaign, as announced in March 2009.
In November 2008, Brock announced the new naming of the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts (MIW SFPA) in recognition of award-winning artist and philanthropist Marilyn Walker’s donation of $15 million to an endowment for the school. The donation is the largest in the history of Brock University and speaks to the significance that community leaders place on the growth of the arts sector as part of the future of our region. Additional fundraising will be undertaken, as required, to meet the goals of the project.
See all FAQs
Are my taxes going to go up for this?
It is our understanding that the City’s goal is to not increase taxes for this project. Yes, City money will be required to build the facility as well as operate it, however, new sources of revenue are in the works that may offset some if not all of these costs. Talk to your local City Councillor for the latest update on this subject.
See all FAQs
What about the current Centre for the Arts at Brock University?
Today’s Centre for the Arts, Brock University (CFTA) will be at the heart of tomorrow’s Niagara Centre for the Arts. The new arts centre will no longer be a Brock University operation but the staff and programming of the CFTA will be moving downtown in bigger and better facilities. That means more programming, and more seats for audiences who are packing the house in the smaller Sean O Sullivan Theatre at Brock. The current CFTA’s commitment to a quality audience experience will be a cornerstone of the new facility.
See all FAQs
What will it cost to run the new Niagara Centre for the Arts?
The consulting team has provided detailed budgets for the first five years of the NCFA’s operations. It has a $4.5 million operating budget per year, with thousands of people coming through the doors, and hundreds of events each year. Of this, roughly $3 million will be earned revenue – through ticket sales, concessions, facility rentals etc. The additional $1.5 million will be generated through fundraising, grants and annual investments from Brock University and possibly the City.
See all FAQs
How will the partnership between Brock and the City work?
All decisions and operating costs for the new MIW SFPA will remain the responsibility of Brock University. For the NCFA, the details of how it will be managed and financially supported are still being worked out. President Jack Lightstone has made the commitment in public that Brock is prepared to commit $800,000 annually to support the operating of the new arts centre.
Ultimately, the City and Brock University are developing a partnership for this venture that is new – there are no examples of this type of partnership elsewhere in North America. So we expect more news will be forthcoming on how they expect the partnership to work.
See all FAQs
How will this project help downtown St. Catharines?
A new arts centre and academic centre mean more people in downtown, by day with the student activity at the MIW SFPA and by night with the NCFA performances and events. More people equals more business activity, a greater sense of safety, and a stronger downtown community that will in turn attract new residents and new business.
The project will have immediate economic impact as it is being built, as well as ongoing impact once it is open and operating. Consultants have estimated that
See all FAQs
What about parking in downtown?
Parking will be provided at lots throughout the downtown core to encourage pedestrian traffic through downtown to the arts centre. A new parking garage on Carlisle Street is one of City Council’s top priorities – they’re aware of the need for good parking, for cars and bikes, as well as quality transit into downtown. So there will be plenty of parking nearby, as well as transit options, and wheelchair-accessible parking will be available on-site.
See all FAQs
How will this project benefit the rest of Niagara?
Artists and audiences across Niagara will be the first to benefit, but our business sector and tourism sectors will also be served by the development. Since the success of the 2008 Niagarapalooza, community leaders are acknowledging that the future of Niagara is linked to the knowledge-based economy. Richard Florida’s “creative class” includes artists and cultural workers, and growth in the cultural sector will in turn stimulate renewed interest in our region as a progressive, innovative community open for business.
Brock University is a regional university and the strengthening of its infrastructure will attract more students and faculty, and support future expansion of its academic offerings.
By growing our arts community we will, in turn, be developing talent and creative products for tomorrow’s tourist. The NCFA has a strong cultural development component to its programming, which will generate more opportunities for residents and visitors to participate and experience the arts.
See all FAQs
How will a satellite location benefit Brock University?
Brock University is bursting at the seams. The project provides the MIW SFPA with much-needed academic space which will lead to future growth in enrolment, faculty and programming.
The university will have a stronger presence in community which will allow for creative partnerships, more experiences within the professional arts scene for students, and a chance for Niagara residents to discover the many talents being nurtured at the MIW SFPA through exhibits and performances.
See all FAQs
Who will manage the new centre?
While the MIW SFPA will continue to operate under the exclusive jurisdiction of Brock University, the consulting team has recommended the Niagara Centre for the Arts be governed by a yet-to-be-developed not-for-profit organization that would provide equal responsiveness to the University and the City’s constituents.
See all FAQs
What are the environmental implications of this project?
To date what we know is all good. The City and Brock are committed to a Silver LEED designation – that’s Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design, a system that measures standards of construction and design to ensure responsible stewardship. As well, by using the Canada Hair Cloth Building as the new site for the MIW SFPA, the partnership is regenerating a brownfield site, turning a former manufacturing site into a facility that will serve generations of Niagara students.