Lester Centre overview brings Prince Rupert City Council up to speed on the city's marquee arts facility

Prince Rupert Council members gained a behind the scenes look at what keeps the Lester Centre of the Arts in operation, with General Manager Chris Armstrong  taking the Council members and audience at home on a tour of sorts for the iconic facility on McBride at Wantage Road.

Mr. Armstrong explored some of the history of the arrangement between the City and the Arts Centre through the Society and how the support of the city allows for the Centre to keep ticket prices down, as well as without the support of the city the Lester Centre would not be able to bring in some of the name acts that they have brought to town.

"So just a few words about this beautiful facility that you see on our screen right now, it was built in 1987 at the cost of 3.5 million dollars, I think that's a pretty good bargain. 

It is owned  by the City and you guys contract out to the Prince Rupert Performing Arts Centre Society, to run the day to day operations so I am an employee of that Society,  it's kind of like an arms length position.

I would like to think that you all agree that this is a tremendous community asset that we have in Prince Rupert.

He provided a short overview of some of the events in recent months at the facility, highlighted the Arts Centre's importance to community and the reputation it has gained around the country from travelling musicians and entertainers who are amazed at the standard of the facility.

The General Manager  recounted some of the renovations that have taken place in recent years, many of them initiated by and with funding raised within the community. 

Among the recent improvements work on renovations to the Green Room, which Armstrong noted was funded largely through the efforts of the Prince Rupert Rotary Club

Other improvements included a new intercom system, a new Sound System, outdoor lighting to highlight the Centre at night and indoor lighting to add to the features of the lobby.

He observed of ongoing discussions toward further renovation work and how to prioritize them.

Mr. Armstrong also noted of the impact that the Centre has towards tourism and economic factors such as hotel rooms, meals at restaurants and purchases at store.

He outlined how the ReBoot program for 2023 came into creation, spawned by his son who came up with the design for the premise of the initiative making it a Family affair at the Lester Centre.

The GM also noted of the growing challenges that many groups find in attracting volunteers and noted of the need for additional help at the Centre this season.   

The Please Be Seated  project was also part of the presentation, which is working towards replacing all of the interior seats in the Lester Centre.

Mayor Pond asked about the status of the initiative, which so far has raised 30,000 dollars from within the community, along with a range of funding that has been accessed towards it.

The initiative recently received Federal funding toward the seat replacement program, learn more about it here. That work is expected to take place over the summer.

The Mayor also offered opportunity for Mr. Armstrong to introduce the Board that attended with him.

Councillor Randhawa offered up a question related to additional funding options, while Councillor Adey, who is also on the Lester Centre Board, spoke to the importance of the Arts in the community and how the Lester Centre serves that goal.

"I can't overstate how important I think it is to the community. 

I've you know shared in that pleasure on a number of occasions but so many people in this community have walked on that stage and shown their stuff and grown as human beings because of it. 

So I'm very pleased to claim ownership of being a proud supporter of the facility and all of what it represents"

Councillor Niesh noted of the challenges that the Centre has seen and congratulated Mr. Armstrong for his work at the facility.

In the mid 1980's the raging debate in the city was whether the
Capital  Theatre building should be renovated as an Arts Centre

Mayor Pond observed as to the controversy of the mid eighties  as to  whether the Arts Centre should be in its current location or in the Capital Theatre building downtown, with the debate an emotional one that at times divided the community.

"I arrived in 1988, so 87 this facility had only just been constructed. 

But people that were here during the construction, some of you would remember that. It was a very divisive time for the community. 

Because there was a competing idea that the Capital Theatre should be renewed and there was a tremendous history to the Capital Theatre and so people passionately fought for that.

And it was such a strong feeling in the community that literally I knew people when arrived here that for years refused to go to an event at the Lester Centre because they felt it should have been the Capital Theatre.

Given some of the current conversations we're having, I just can't help but remark that people in Prince Rupert are passionate about their ideas right, and that's a good thing. 

But in the end we coalesce around, I don't think there's anybody in the community today that doesn't believe that the Lester Centre was a massive, significant advancement for this community and it stands there today.

Councillor Cunningham also praised the facility noting how it's the nicest one in the North and has had strong leadership through the years. 

You can review the full presentation from the City's Video starting at the 8 minute mark.

More notes on the Arts can be reviewed here.

A wider overview of Monday's Council Session can be explored through our Council Timeline feature.