University of British Columbia, 1999-2000
Old Auditorium renovation feasibility


Part 1 - Renovating the Old Auditorium, March 1999

Scarcely useful anymore, a building audit of the Old Auditorium found the state of its structure and its systems to be seriously wanting. Since opening in 1987, the Chan Centre had been able to provide a good deal of the rehearsal and performance time required by the School of Music for its programs. As the Chan's popularity as a performance venue increased with the community at large, and at a time when the University had determined to be less isolated, it seemed likely that demands on the Chan would require the School of Music to find additional space to meet the academic needs of its students. Thus the University decided to consider the restoration of the Old Auditorium, with the proviso that economic and operating goals related to using the building as a teaching facility dedicated to the study of music, opera and voice could be met. Hired to determine whether or not this proposition made sense were The Colborne Architectural Group and Lamont Management, The Colborne Group to study the architectural issues while Lamont Management investigated operational aspects.

Lamont reviewed the current performance facilities at UBC in relation to the present program in Voice and Opera, and looked at three aspects of operating costs; building operations and maintenance, costs of expanded academic programs and the impact of non-academic community uses. Lamont’s report suggested that the University needed answers to two key questions to determine whether it should consider renovating the Old Auditorium.

Does the University see value in expanding the program of the Voice and Opera Division?

To answer this question Lamont Management recommended the University do an assessment of the market for opera training as well as a calculation of the academic costs (and funding opportunities) of fulfilling the market demand, if there is one.

Can the renovation produce sufficient sound isolation to allow areas of the building to be used simultaneously for teaching and rehearsals?

This question was beyond The Colborne Group’s initial scope of work. Lamont Management recommended the University obtain advice from architects, acousticians, musicians and theatre technicians on this question, and test it rigorously.

Part 2 - Alternatives to renovating the Old Auditorium, March 2000

Still considering the possibility of renovating the Old Auditorium, the University decided it would be prudent to investigate whether other possibilities might provide the School of Music with a more reasonably obtained facility. Lamont Management was engaged to review three options; the inactive Ford Centre for the Performing Arts, the yet to be completed UBC Creative Arts Facility and a conceptual innovative rehearsal hall.

To put the option analysis in context, Lamont’s report first reviewed the essential elements of opera performance training, and then traced the fundamental features of opera theatres through the 400 years of operatic history. This investigation concluded first, that students need time in performance facilities in order to learn how to perform, and second, that the three principal features of an opera theatre, the proscenium arch, the fly tower and the orchestra pit, are fundamental to a facility whose function is the study of opera performance.

The strengths and shortcomings of the three options were measured against the needs of students and the requirements of opera production, and found to be wanting. The question of whether renovation or new construction would be cheaper was posed and answered, and the possibility of alternative (and cheaper) renovations to the Old Auditorium was considered.

Finally, successful opera programs at Indiana University, the University of Toronto and McGill University were examined, and two essential characteristics emerged.

Teachers

Generous access to artists of national reputation who are proven and committed teachers is the touchstone of excellence of any performance program.

Dedicated Facilities

In a learning situation, theatres are the laboratories of the performing arts. The time available for students to spend working in the facilities is as important as the quality of the facilities themselves.

The report concluded that none of the options reviewed provides an adequate or cost affective solution to the need for a teaching opera theatre.