BRING BACK OUR BURR THEATRE
- by: Ellie King
- recipient: the City of New Westminster
In 2000 a small group of amazing people transformed the dirty, run down dance hall and late-night drinking place that was the Columbia Theatre into the Raymond Burr Performing Arts Centre, and then did what no other arts organisation has ever done.
In four and a bit short years we built a lively, creative working theatre and brought $1.2m into the local economy.
More than that we built a family of respectful, fun, supportive and amazing people.
Then someone decided we should go away and the Burr got closed down.
In 2011 although we put in $1m. bid the City sold the building to a commercial club owner for $700,000 (after a grant) who took out everything we built and installed a cabaret style room in the shell of the theatre where we used to welcome thousands to our live shows.
Now he's selling the building again and who knows what will happen to it if a developer gets it.
We are still missed so maybe we can do something.
Before the Burr is lost forever, let's tell the City of New Westminster that there are many, many people who want the Burr to come back to life. Please sign and please share.
To Mayor Cote and the City Council of New Westminster:
Once we were called the Jewel in the Crown of the Royal City. For whatever reasons we were systematically disassembled until nothing of the Burr was left.
We tried to purchase the Columbia. We had $1m. ready and another $7.8 to invest. We were passed over, again for whatever reasons, and despite our better offer and highly robust business plan the building went to a commercial club owner. Now he needs to sell because he obviously isn't providing what the City needs at that location. By contrast we ran at 65% overall and brought $1.2m into the local economy in just 4 years. Unheard of success for a theatre company.
PLEASE CONSIDER taking the Columbia back into City inventory and allowing the Burr Society and/or The Royal Canadian Theatre Company (comprised of many original Burr particpants) to become resident there once again so we can bring back the pride that New Westminster had in its own resident professinal theatre company, not to mention the financial benefits to the local economy - particularly the merchants in the area.
There is a need for family-oriented, efficiently run live entertainment on Columbia Street. We proved in the past that we can do this. Give us the opportunity to reset the Jewel in the Crown of the Royal City.
thank you.
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