While the future of the Kiwanis Theatre remains uncertain, Chatham-Kent’s mayor believes it will remain a space for arts and culture within the community.
Current plans for a massive redevelopment project could see the Thames Art Gallery and Chatham-Kent Museum moved into the former section of the Downtown Chatham Centre, but the Kiwanis Theatre is not mentioned in the plans and has been somewhat left in the lurch.
However, as far as Mayor Darrin Canniff is concerned, the Chatham Cultural Centre and the Kiwanis Theatre within it will continue to be used for arts and culture.
“Once we announce the downtown project, that’s when we’ll get together with the arts and culture groups and determine, collectively, the future of the Kiwanis Theatre,” said Canniff. “If it was just me making the decision, I’d want to see the theatre continue and have all that space used for arts and culture.”
The Cultural Centre on William Street was designated as a property of cultural heritage value and interest in 2003 by CK Council.
Canniff said it has not yet been determined if the Cultural Centre and Kiwanis Theatre will remain a municipally-run venue if the revitalization project moves forward.
“We’ll work with the arts and culture community to look at various options,” said Canniff. “When you look at communities that people want to live in, arts and culture is a very important part of that. So as we move forward, I see it expanding its presence [in CK].”
An in-depth report on the costs and impacts of the downtown redevelopment project is expected to be presented to Chatham-Kent Council in the coming months.