The Phase 2 report was presented to the Corporate & Community Services Standing Committee at its April 3rd meeting and made the following recommendations regarding size, scope, and site for a potential Arts Centre in Collingwood.
Size
The research supports an overall preference towards having a smaller ~400 seat main performance facility.
Scope
The community re-affirmed the need to have the following kinds of spaces in the facility:
- Public gathering areas
- Front-of-House
- Theatre 1 (higher capacity, fixed seating)
- Theatre 2 (smaller capacity, flexible seating)
- Administration
- Theatre support spaces (green rooms, dressing rooms, etc.)
- Studios/Classrooms
- Additional office and catering spaces
- Retails and market spaces
Site
The six short-listed sites from Phase 1 were assessed and studied by Giaimo through a site selection evaluation framework. Based on this, the short-list was narrowed to two potential sites that both meet the needs of the size, scope, and vision for a new arts centre. These were:
- 48 Ste. Marie St – a new 45,000 sq.ft. arts centre constructed on 35,000 sq.ft of parking lot in Downtown Collingwood.
- Collingwood Terminals Redevelopment – a new 45,000 sq.ft. arts centre integrated with the larger Grain Terminal Redevelopment project currently underway by Streetcar Developments Inc. and Dream Unlimited Inc.
While the initial intention of the Phase 2 study was to recommend one final site, Giaimo determined that both sites offer feasible, non-comparable approaches, and as such recommended that both be considered further in consultation with Streetcar, the Town, stakeholders, and the public to determine which approach is preferred.
Given this, staff recommended extending the consulting contract with Nordicity & Giaimo to engage in additional site discussions with Streetcar Developments Inc. and to facilitate further public consultation with respect to the two recommended site options. This recommendation was defeated in favour of focusing solely on the 48 Ste. Marie Street site (or comparable downtown parking lot if deemed necessary) with direction for staff to report back to Council with plans for proceeding to Phase 3 of the project. Council ratified this decision at its April 17th meeting.