A push by School District 43 this year to rent out school theatres proved successful.
According to an annual report from secretary-treasurer and chief financial officer Chris Nicolls, SD43’s rental and lease department handled 53 separate contracts for 225 public events at the Terry Fox Theatre — a 336-seat proscenium theatre that opened in 1999 and is attached to Terry Fox secondary.
That external use meant $90,725 in revenue for the district between July 1, 2017, and June 30, 2018, Nicolls reported to the board of education on Nov. 20.
As well, Terry Fox Theatre saw 180 events from the secondary school — ranging from performances to one-hour classroom instruction — resulting in the venue being used a total of 443 times (that number compares with 410 events in 2016/’17 and 283 in 2015/’16).
Nicholls also noted SD43’s rental and lease department, made up of a co-ordinator and two clerks, is also having a hard time keeping up with Fox theatre rentals as onsite staffing is needed.
Meanwhile, Fox’s audio and video gear underwent major updates, Nicolls stated, as well as curtain maintenance and a lighting board replacement to match the board at Centennial secondary.
At the new $61-million Centennial, its theatre has also been busy with a church group renting out the facility on Sundays, and other things.
Still, Nicolls said, SD43 continues “to address equipment requirements and other challenges” at Centennial including buying wireless microphones and stage painting.
