Chatham-Kent’s arts and culture sector will have a greater focus heading into 2024.
Over the past few years, there has been much discussion around the revitalization of downtown Chatham and the potential to move municipal facilities including the Civic Centre, library, and museum to the Downtown Chatham Centre. However, concerns have been raised within the cultural sector over the lack of conversation about the rest of the Chatham Cultural Centre.
Mayor Darrin Canniff says following a motion raised by Ward Six councillor Marjorie Crew, municipal administration is preparing a report on future renovations to the William Street North building.
“For years they talked about (putting in) new seats, we have a reserve set up that we’ve collected a dollar a ticket, so let’s get those new seats put in,” Canniff says.
Canniff says with plans to move the Chatham-Kent Museum into the DCC, there will be additional space available at the Cultural Centre.
“We want to make sure arts and culture is first and foremost in Chatham-Kent as far as our facilities go.”
Meantime, Canniff says a motion from Ward Four councillor Carmen McGregor has municipal staff looking into the arts and culture sector in Wallaceburg, focusing on the Jeanne Gordon Theatre, Wallaceburg Museum, and Von Ayers Cultural Centre.
“How much is it going to cost to bring the Jeanne Gordon Theatre back up to speed so we can have all the different shows going on upstairs,” Canniff says. “Let’s spend the money to get that thing up and running again so we can have theatre again in Wallaceburg.”
Among the issues with the Jeanne Gordon Theatre include fire code issues. However, Canniff believes that work should be completed sooner rather than later, and hopefully within the year.
A report on the Jeanne Gordon Theatre and Wallaceburg Museum is expected back before council in March.
