Auditorium upgrades may force out tenants

Adrienne Lamb, The Arts Report

Edmonton - Arts organizations in Alberta have mixed feelings about proposed facelifts for the Jubilee Auditoriums in Edmonton and Calgary.

The $30-million renovation project will spruce up the theatres, which are home to more than 50 arts groups. At the same time, however, the projects will put those same groups out on the street for a full calendar year.

"That is our home," said Edmonton Opera general manager Joan Greabeiel, "and there is nowhere else in Edmonton -- or for that matter in Calgary for the Calgary Opera -- to put on grand opera, fully staged opera.

"How do we hold onto our subscriber base and not be sort of forgotten?"

The Edmonton Opera is not alone. Dance companies, music festivals and university commencement ceremonies all use the Jubilee Auditoriums.

The halls were built in 1955 in honour of Alberta's 50th anniversary. Now that the province is creeping up on its 100 year, the government feels it's time for an upgrade: seats will be replaced, the acoustics revamped and washrooms expanded.

"Right now ... we're in the architectural phase so we're looking at the design of the facility," said provincial spokesperson Bill Strickland. "The actual plan for construction is in 2004 so that the building will be ready in 2005 for our centennial."

Local committees in both cities are kicking in $5 million each towards the upgrades, with the remaining $20 million expected to come from the province.

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