Our Last Opportunity to Save the York Theatre
On Thursday December 18th, 2008, at 10:00 am, City Council will consider a staff recommendation.
Council’s decision will determine the future of the York Theatre.
If Council approves the staff recommendation to grant a transfer of density to cover one-third of the restoration costs, the York Theatre will be demolished.
If Council approves the prospective buyer’s request to grant a transfer of density to cover 100% of the restoration costs, the York Theatre will be restored.
The Save the York Theatre Society is asking Council to approve a density transfer of 100% of the value of the restoration.
Our Last Opportunity
This is our last opportunity to save the York Theatre.
To register to speak at City Council this Thursday, email Denise Salmon click here.
To express your views by email to the Mayor and Council click here.
To contribute to the conversation on the Vancouver Arts and Cultures Forum use the comment box below.
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An Opportunity
The Pantages Theatre is for Sale
The historic Pantages Theatre is at imminent risk. The Pantages is one of Vancouver’s three historic theatres that face an uncertain future.
The current owner inspired the community with his ideas to restore and reopen the Theatre. After investing three years in the project the owner has put the Theatre up for sale.
The For Sale sign means the owner and the City of Vancouver were unable to reach an agreement. This creates an opportunity to build on three years of groundwork and avoid losing the theatre to demolition or neglect.
Opportunities
- The City of Vancouver could buy and restore the theatre and operate it as a publicly owned facility.
- The City of Vancouver could buy or option the theatre and collaborate with the community to find a proposal that works.
- A new buyer with an interest in taking over the project could purchase the property.
Letter from the Pantages Theatre Arts Society
Letter from Community Arts Council of Vancouver
Letter from Heritage Vancouver
View related news
From the Save the York Theatre Society
A group of community members who are interested in saving and restoring the York Theatre met at City Hall on December 6, 2007 with the new owner of the York Theatre and a number of representatives from the Planning Department, Cultural Affairs, and Heritage Group for the City of Vancouver.
The History and Vision for the York Theatre tells the story of why the York Theatre should be saved and restored. Click here
It was clear from this meeting that the new owner and developer, Paul Phillips of Edge Homes, has no interest in preserving the theatre. During the city strike, he was led to believe there would be no opposition to the demolition of the theatre and a townhouse development.
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The York Theatre holds a significant place in the history of Vancouver theatre. It is the only purpose built theatre with fly tower and proscenium stage on the east side of the city and one of only two or three such theatres left in Vancouver. The York Theatre seats approximately 500 people and, according to a survey conducted by the Coal Harbour Arts Complex Society, there are 915 potential uses annually of a theatre in this size range.
The Greater Vancouver Professional Theatre Alliance wishes to express its strongest possible support for a civic initiative to help preserve and revitalize this precious and historic cultural facility.
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The York Theatre is the last remaining purpose built building for legitimate theatre in the City and was the home of Vancouver Little Theatre for many years. The theatre was recently purchased by a developer who has plans to demolish the theatre and build a townhouse complex.
Proposed street front of the restored York Theatre – Downs-Archambault design 1982
A History and Vision for the York Theatre has been created by the Save the York Theatre Society. The Forum on the Future of Theatres reflected the community’s concerns about our last remaining opportunities to preserve and restore our heritage theatres. The need for theatre space in Vancouver is clear. The Greater Vancouver Professional Theatre Alliance confirms there is strong support from the theatre community. The City’s report on the Coal Theatre Arts Complex concluded there is a shortage of performance venues in the City. And the Vancouver East Cultural Centre indicated it could operate the theatre on an interim basis if it was returned to early use and restored fully later.
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From the Pantages Theatre Arts Society
This year marks the Centennial of the opening of Vancouver’s Pantages Theatre. One century ago, it stood for everything that was beautiful, new and exciting in theatre. Today, the Pantages remains all of that, – and it has also become a beacon of change and hope in the Downtown Eastside.
With the support of the City, the Pantages will be fully restored as the dazzler it once was and upgraded to modern technical standards. It has a superb acoustic, seats 650, and will offer new lobbies, a rehearsal studio, an enlarged pit, and every modern amenity. It will be restored with meticulous attention to its irreplaceable heritage value. And it will be managed in the public interest by the non-profit Pantages Theatre Arts Society on a long-term lease from its developer.
If you believe that live theatre will make a difference in the Downtown Eastside, please tell City Council. If you believe that Western Canada’s oldest theatre deserves to be saved and restored, please tell City Council. If your own company in music, dance, theatre, film, video, whatever your art may be, believes that you need and would use such a theatre, please tell City Council.
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From Herb Auerbach
There are several major issues to be addressed in the preservation and restoration of theatres in Vancouver, like the York and he Vogue. They are Heritage, Cultural Infrastructure, Cultural Development, and Economic Development. There are also environmental issues around the use of materials and energy required for new construction, and around the disposal of the proceeds of demolition that should also be a consideration if we take a holistic approach to these projects.
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