Burnaby’s Michael J. Fox Theatre is looking for new management.
The Burnaby school district has asked the City of Burnaby to study whether the city can take on the theatre’s management and operations.
Responsibility for the theatre, located on Burnaby South Secondary’s property at 7373 MacPherson Ave., has fallen “solely” into the hands of the school district after changes to the non-profit society that has operated it since 1993.
Leon Gous, the city’s chief administrative officer, told the Burnaby NOW the school district approached the city about the issue as the district was never intended to operate the theatre.
Carmen Gonzalez, the city’s deputy general manager of parks, recreation and culture, added the city has experience in running cultural facilities.
An arts and culture consultant has recommended Burnaby consider various operating models for the future of the theatre, highlighting the theatre’s “significant role as a cultural hub,” according to a city news release Tuesday.
“Michael J. Fox Theatre is one of the important places where our community comes to gather, connect and celebrate, and we want to understand what will be required to keep that going for the long term,” Mayor Mike Hurley said in the release.
School board chair Kristin Schnider said the board is excited the city is willing to collaborate.
Burnaby council decided in a closed-door meeting in December to ask staff to work with the school district and the consultant to undertake a comprehensive analysis of the project with a facility assessment, equipment audit and market analysis.
Staff will report back to council on whether it’s possible for the city to operate the theatre, including the financial implications.
The theatre will remain open with “a full slate of performances” while the analysis is underway, according to the release.
The theatre will host a variety of shows over the next month, including an “iLumiDance” concert by Rainbow Dance Theatre, performances of The Music Man musical by Align Entertainment, and jazz night presented by the school district.
