Nelson city council will take the first steps towards addressing the Nelson Civic Theatre Society’s proposal at Monday night’s council meeting.
The society presented their proposal at a committee of the whole meeting last week.
During the presentation, Roger Ley — vice president of the society — said it had been difficult for the group to acquire funding given they didn’t not have a clear message from the City to proceed.
According to the agenda for Monday night’s meeting, city staff will be directing council to authorize the development a letter of intent to lease the Civic Theatre space to the society.
The request for decision reads that the letter will include “The Nelson Civic Theatre Society may have immediate, full access to the … theatre space … the society may provide limited access to community members for the purpose of community fundraising activities … the [society] will agree to meet progress targets with respect to fundraising levels and building renovations which will be specified.”
The letter also identifies that the City will provide rent relief and intends to grant a 20-year lease.
The group presented a business plan and feasibility study to council last month, but as the request for decision identifies, the plan relies heavily on grant and fundraising.
“The report identifies that the movie theatre can be financially viable, however it requires significant grants and fundraising in order to complete the capital improvements,” reads the request.
Council will vote on the request Monday.
