City of Prince George, BC, 1986
Multi-purpose Centre Performance Facility
(with Arthur Erickson Architects and S Leonard Auerbach & Associates)


Prior to finalizing the feasibility study on the performance facility proposed for the Prince George Multi-purpose Centre, the City's Building Committee, Erickson Architects and Auerbach & Associates decided that further work should be done in the areas of programming, management structure and operating finances in order to focus more clearly on the size (i.e. number of seats) of the performance facility. I was engaged on short notice to do this work in a very tight time period.

The work consisted of analyzing the entertainment market in Prince George both in terms of events and facilities. Generic touring attractions were identified, both commercial and publicly funded, which could exploit Prince George's strategic location between Edmonton and Vancouver. Recent developments in government funding programs and patterns of corporate and foundation support for the arts were researched. A model program was constructed that helped to define the type and size of the facility to be built, recommended a management structure and indicated operating revenues and expenditures. These conclusions helped to define the relationship between the theatre and the other facilities in the Centre (an art gallery and a convention centre were being proposed) from the point of view of shared services and administrative support. Finally, the "funding gap" was defined and a multi-stage marketing program, targeted at both public and private funding sources, was outlined.

The City's Director of Planning, Graham Farstad, wrote the following on receipt of the report;

"I would like to compliment you on your excellent well-written marketing report on the proposed performance theatre. I believe you have provided some excellent advice on some of the key issues which will have to be addressed if the project is to be successfully implemented. Considering the limited time you had to undertake this work, I think your appreciation of our needs is quite perceptive. Your positive recommendations on how to avoid the pitfalls that have affected similar organizations in other communities is particularly appreciated."