The Executive Committee recommends the adoption of the report (September 22, 1997) from the Budget Review Group:
Origin: Councillor David Hutcheon, Chair, Budget Review Group (p:\1997\ug\cnl\brg\ex971906.brg) - mrm
Recommendations:
1. That the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts be authorized to make use of its Capital Improvements Funds in the amount of $8,000 for the purpose of engaging a theatrical consultant to carry out the preliminary design work with respect to renovations to the Jane Mallett Theatre;
2. That the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts engage in a consultative process with appropriate City Staff, including staff from the Property Services Division and the Budget Planning and Policy Office;
3. That the above consultation be extended to include any appropriate working group/s that may be implemented under that new amalgamated City and that the proposal be reviewed in context of the New City of Toronto’s overall strategic plans; and,
4. That the proposal be submitted to the Budget Review Group, or other appropriate funding committee for approval by the New City of Toronto Council.
Comments: At its meeting of September 22, 1997, the Budget Review Group had before it the attached communication (September 19, 1997) from the Acting General Manager of the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, which included a business proposal with respect to the renovations to the Jane Mallett Theatre.
The Budget Review Group recommended that the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts be authorized to make use of its Capital Improvements Funds in the amount of $8,000 for the purpose of engaging a theatrical consultant to carry out the preliminary design work with respect to renovations to the Jane Mallett Theatre, with the understanding that the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts:
- engage in a consultative process with appropriate City Staff, including staff from the Property Services Division and the Budget Planning and Policy Office;
- that the above consultation be extended to include any appropriate working group/s that may be implemented under that new amalgamated City and that the proposal be reviewed in context of the New City of Toronto’s overall strategic plans; and,
- that the proposal be submitted to the Budget Review Group, or other appropriate funding committee for approval by the New City of Toronto Council.
(Communication dated September 19, 1997, from David G. Wallett, Acting General Manager, St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, addressed to the Budget Review Group)
Please find enclosed the documentation to be presented to the Budget Review Group.
The material includes a proposal from the St. Lawrence Centre with respect to renovations to the Jane Mallett Theatre. This proposal has been reviewed by and discussed with Marie McCutcheon.
The documentation also includes a letter from the Artistic Director of the Toronto Operetta Theatre in support of the proposal.
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Proposal For The Renovation Of The Jane Mallett Theatre
Preamble
The Jane Mallett Theatre, previously known as the Town Hall, is located within the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts. This auditorium was designed and built as a small concert hall to house piano recitals, string quartets and small chamber ensembles. In physical appearance and accoutrements it resembles a lecture hall, albeit with excellent acoustics. For many years it was without competition as a recital chamber and the demand for solo and small ensemble performances was strong. As well, under the leadership of Marion Andre, it became the summer home for Theatre Plus; this being made possible by an annual costly effort of literally building a small studio theatre on the stage of the Jane Mallett to provide the necessary technical shell required to mount theatrical productions.
In this decade, circumstances and conditions have changed. Theatre Plus left the Jane Mallett Theatre and relocated to the Premier Dance Theatre at Harbourfront, specifically because the then Artistic Director, Duncan Macintosh, could no longer deal with the frustration of working in a space that was not equipped to meet the demands of his company. The new Recital Hall in the Ford Centre in North York and the Glenn Gould Studio in the new C.B.C. building diverted some of the pure classical recital concerts away from the St. Lawrence Centre. As well, the audience for live classical music performances appears to be dwindling, partly due to the aging population and partly due, I suspect, to the tremendous acoustic quality now available on compact disc. The St. Lawrence Centre’s response to the decline of its traditional users has of course been the attempt to attract and facilitate other types of performances and uses of the hall.
Because of its tremendous acoustics and intimacy, the Mallett will always attract music lovers and musical performances. There is a strong and apparently growing audience for classical vocal music, particularly in the form of opera and operetta. These forms are not so susceptible to losing their audience to the CD because they are in a large part a visual, as well as an aural experience. The Jane Mallett is currently home to Toronto Operetta Theatre, has become an ongoing venue for Opera Atelier and is about to become a venue for Opera Anonymous. These particular companies however, as well as corporate users, who more and more require multi-media for business presentations, have staging requirements that the Jane Mallett Theatre was not designed for and indeed is not equipped to meet.
We believe that in order to increase the usage of the Jane Mallett Theatre, to maintain and expand the opera and operetta components we currently have and attract a more diversified use of the facility, that the hall has to be a more accommodating and flexible space than the simple concert platform that now exists.
The Proposal
To provide the basic technical elements to allow for multiple scenic background effects, projections, flying elements and on-stage lighting suitable for theatrical presentations, television and multi-media requirements without compromising either the appearance or the acoustical quality of the hall as it currently exists.
Outline Of The Scope Of The Work
To meet the objectives of the proposal, the following would have to be undertaken.
The removal of the upstage section of the acoustical plaster dropped ceiling.
The relocation of sprinkler heads so as to accommodate the required space clearance and stay within the building code regulations.
The installation of a series of six flying system pipes supported from the structural roof beams and operated by means of electrical winches with floor mounted remote controls, safeties and limits.
The acquisition of a seamless plastic cyclorama and appropriate cyc lighting units.
The acquisition of velour top and side masking for the above.
The installation of an acoustical baffle or baffles, as may or may not be required, to replace the section of removed plaster ceiling dependant on the acoustical assessment.
The Process
Stage 1. (Last quarter of 1997)
To engage a reputable theatrical consultant firm to do the preliminary design work which will include
- structural engineering assessment to determine load bearing parameters
- mechanical assessment re relocating sprinkler heads
- acoustical assessment of the impact of proposed changes
- preparation of drawings and specification proposals for assessment and costing
Stage 2. (First months of 1998)
- engage in a consultation process with the Board of Management, the City Property Department, the St. Lawrence Centre Users Group and the Budget Review Group for project approval.
- the above consultations to also extend to any appropriate working group/s that may be set up under the new amalgamated city and project approval sought within the context of the new amalgamated city’s overall plans.
Stage 3. (Early summer 1998: if project approved)
- tender the project to firms located within the GTA
- establish time lines and completion guarantees
- retain the services of the consultant company to oversee the contracted work and sign off the installation upon completion
Costs and Benefits
I have arrived at a ballpark estimate that the cost of the project would be in the order of $100,000 and that the cost of professional fees for design and engineering would typically amount to 15% of project costs, another $15,000. The $100,000 ballpark is based on a typical supply and installation cost of six motorized line sets at $10,000 per set to a total of $60,000. The supply of a suitable cyclorama and associated lighting equipment would be approximately $10,000. This leaves $30,000 to cover the cost of removal of the plaster ceiling, the relocation of the sprinkler heads, any required acoustical treatment and of course taxes. Stage 1 of the project is an essential step in resolving the unknown vis a vis acoustics and sprinklers and determining an accurate budget for the undertaking.
To assess the benefits I would like to start with a negative. If we do not do something along the lines of this proposal then I believe it will become increasingly difficult for this or any other future management to increase, or even maintain, the level of activity in the Jane Mallett. This surely would be a great pity. The hall has a great location, a wonderful ambience, amazing acoustics and is much loved by performers and audiences alike. The reality is that it can no longer survive simply as a concert hall.
The first benefit of this proposal however, is that the design concept will ensure that nothing is lost. The intrinsic quality of the recital hall will be retained and Toronto audiences will continue to enjoy performances by the Tokyo String Quartet and the Young Canadian Performers Series.
The initial immediate beneficiaries of the changes will be the Toronto Operetta Theatre and Opera Atelier who will be able to give their productions the staging they deserve and that their audiences expect without straining their limited financial resources or looking to other more suitable venues. It will enable the St. Lawrence Centre to retain the current base of these valuable clients and provide them with a better opportunity to satisfy their artistic requirements, expand their audiences and their performance schedules at the Jane Mallett.
The future benefits will be the ability of the management of the Centre to attract other small not-for-profit performance companies engaging in theatrical performances, musical revues and the like. There would be the potential for developing Matinee Theatre aimed at the burgeoning Seniors market as the stage could quickly and cheaply be restored for an evening concert. The current technical limitations constantly preclude any of this kind of activity.
The most identifiable growth market for the Jane Mallett Theatre is in the area of business meetings and small industrial trade shows. We are already showing some success in this area, again because of location, a unique environment and commitment to service. This is a very competitive field with the convention centres and the hotels all vying for the same business. Corporate image and presentation is becoming increasingly sophisticated and businesses are looking for more than the simple lectern, microphone and spotlight. The new facilities we are proposing would give the St. Lawrence Centre a competitive edge in attracting a much larger share of this lucrative market. I believe we could turn the Jane Mallett Theatre into the venue of choice for a great many of our corporate neighbours.
What does this mean in terms of increased revenues for the Centre? I believe that the proposed changes will certainly lead to a much increased usage of the facility and therefore improve the revenue side of our operations. I would not hazard a prediction in terms of actual dollars, either short term or long term. I will predict, however, that without the Centre taking this kind of initiative that the only result will be stagnation.
Project Financing
It seems to me perfectly reasonable and proper that should this project be approved, that the appropriate source of financing should come from the Centre’s own Capital Improvement Fund. This fund was essentially established by the Board of Management of the Centre to complete the financing of the original transformation of the facility in the mid eighties. The source of the funding comes directly from the patrons of the Centre as their contribution to the maintenance and improvement of the facility, presumably to better their enjoyment. As well the public has already made a unique contribution to the Jane Mallett Theatre by means of a private fund raising campaign that enabled the Centre to refurbish the auditorium in keeping with its status as a first class recital hall. I believe that this project will ensure that effort was not in vain and that there will be a continued future for the Jane Mallett Theatre. For your information, the current value of the Capital Improvement Fund is approximately one and a quarter million dollars.
(Communication dated September 17, 1997, from Guillermo Silva-Marin, Artistic Director, Toronto Operetta Theatre, addressed to David Wallett, Acting General Manager, St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts)
I recently heard about the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts’ plan to make adjustments to the overhead lighting structure at the Jane Mallett Theatre that would substantially and greatly enhance user’s technical capabilities at the Jane Mallett Theatre. I am delighted with the news and grateful for the many benefits it will provide two of the companies under my direction now using the Jane Mallett Theatre.
It is equally important and reassuring to all users at the JANE that these changes will not alter in any way the basic and essential purpose of the venue as a concert hall. That said, your plans for the Jane Mallett Theatre will provide all users more flexibility with programming and presentation, whether it be concert, drama, dance or lecture in the areas of set decor and lighting design, as well as time and money saved during setup calls. Most importantly, these changes will increase the potential use of the venue by greatly improving its versatility as a theatre/concert hall.
I have, in the past, advocated for some of these adjustments on behalf of the Toronto Operetta Theatre and Opera in Concert. May I congratulate you and the Board at the St. Lawrence Centre for your vision and good will towards the artistic community and ultimately towards the public who reap the benefits of a "living centre" in tune with their needs and expectations.
(Communication dated August 15, 1997, from David G. Wallett, Acting General Manager, St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, addressed to the Budget Review Group)
We have been exploring ways to make the Jane Mallett Theatre a more flexible performing space and thus make it attractive to a wider group of users than the current slate of classical music presenters. As you are aware, the hall is designed as a concert platform and does not lend itself easily to theatrical productions and is also limited in what it offers to the corporate user.
We believe it would be possible to install an overhead grid with a motorized flying system that would enable the use of a cyclorama, scenic backdrops, along with associated lighting positions and equipment. This would be an automated system that would allow for the quick and easy set up of small theatrical productions, operas and operettas and corporate events whilst minimizing the cost of stage labour involved in such set ups. We believe that these improvements are necessary to increase and diversify the usage of the Jane Mallett Theatre.
This project, which we feel will cost in the area of $100,000, will require some design work, including the assessment of structural engineering, mechanical engineering and acoustical impact. We would very much like, during the remainder of this fiscal year, to develop a design proposal along with all the engineering assessments in order to arrive at a well defined budget and scope of work for the project.
We would like to request Budget Review that the Centre be allowed to draw up to a maximum of $8,000 from the C.I.F. during fiscal 97 to pay for this initial design and assessment work. It would be the Centre’s intention, if all interested parties agree to move ahead with the total project, to ask the City for approval to utilize the C.I.F. in 1998 to pay for these improvements to the Jane Mallett Theatre.
Thank you for your attention.
