GCTC receives 2nd arts grant to cover construction costs

Ottawa city council has agreed to give the Great Canadian Theatre Company another quarter of a million dollars to pay down construction debts, triggering a heated debate over funding for the arts in general.

"Kanata Theatre doesn't get a penny from the city and they don't get a penny for operating," said Kanata Coun. Marianne Wilkinson. "That's the way I like to see it done if it can be done."

Donwtown Coun. Diane Holmes countered that some other suburban theaters have received millions of dollars in taxpayer funding and accused her suburban colleagues of bias.

"I won't be surprised when the rurals and the east end, as usual, don't support a downtown facility, it won't come as a surprise but it sure is a big, big disappointment," said Holmes.

Since 2007, the Great Canadian Theatre Company has been located in the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre in Hintonburg. Construction of the complex cost nearly $12 million.

Funds came from all levels of government, the Greenburg family, fundraising and borrowing. But building material costs went up during construction and six years later, the theatre is still trying to pay down a remaining $870,000 bank loan.

Finally, council voted to help by giving the theatre another $250,000 in taxpayer dollars, increasing the total grants from the city to the GCTC to more than $1.7 million.

Only four councillors voted against the additional funding and the majority was likely swayed by city staff who described the GCTC as well managed, viable and doing a good job raising funds on its own.

While theatre company board chair Nhanci Wright provided no guarantee the group would not ask for additional funding in the future, she said she hoped that this instance would be the last.

"We're obviously very, very pleased to have the support of council for this," she said. "It is my hope not to have to come here again because it's very nerve shattering"