A theatre bearing the name of one of the most famous British Columbians will no longer be available for community bookings after June 30.
Staff at the Michael J. Fox Theatre in Burnaby received an 11-week working notice on April 13.
In March, the theatre technicians unanimously voted to join the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) and, in a release, said that they learned of the upcoming change only weeks later.
“We have to save the Michael J. Fox Theatre,” said IATSE international vice-president Damian Petti in a statement. “These workers are facing an uncertain future and the community risks losing a beloved local venue. Now is the time for the City of Burnaby to act.”
At the end of the school year, the Burnaby School District will be transitioning to exclusive use of the theatre.
IATSE said that they also learned in January 2025 that the Burnaby City Council voted unanimously to explore whether the city should play a role in managing the theatre. They said they are still waiting for a report back on that issue.
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IATSE is now calling on the City of Burnaby to step up and invest in keeping the theatre open for all who want to use it.
In a statement on April 14, Burnaby Board of Education Chair Kristin Schnider said, “As a Board, we are extremely proud of the theatre’s lasting legacy and contributions to the performing arts in Burnaby. While we know this planned shift in how the Michael J Fox Theatre is used may be disappointing for some, the fiscal reality is that we cannot afford to manage the theatre for community usage beyond the current budget year.”
In a statement, the City of Burnaby said the theatre is owned and operated by the Burnaby School District and they decided on operations and closures.
“City staff will be reporting back to Burnaby City Council soon on the outcomes of discussions with the school district, and the analysis and feasibility of any city involvement,” the city said in a statement.
“Until council has made a decision, it would be inappropriate to speculate on next steps.
“The city recognizes the significance of the Michael J. Fox Theatre to the community and remains committed to being transparent as the process concludes.”
A $150,000 shortfall…..500(?) seats x 200 nights/year booked x $2.00 = $200,000
And unions kill yet another business.
Go figure eh.
Chalk another one up for the unions !
It’s funny how we can fund millions in millions and millions and millions of dollars each year to the C. BC just to have
Conditioned, edited rhetoric to the liberals tyrannical power. Fiat here we are a very powerful and influential cultural community center that can’t seem to find enough funds to sustain
Being how essentially well used to the public demand already. But yet, falling short financially is just a pathetic excuse for closure
Why not give the Vincent Massey Theatre to MICHAEL J FOX. BIG beautiful awesome spaces. GREAT SEATING (not a bad seat in the house). Very surprising acoustics. It’s not Burnaby but just down the road from Edmonds school where he had ms paugemiller (sounds like pawg miller) for drama class.
This is sad news indeed. There is so little Theatre space in Burnaby as it is. I am sure the school district will make good use of the space.
What happened in Rome when they couldn’t afford bread and circus anymore? Asking for a friend 🤓