CALGARY- A major funding cut has managers at the Epcor Centre scrambling to get back in the black.
The province has cut $400,000 from the arts centre’s budget, meaning ticket prices will likely double, and programming will be impacted.
“It will be very tough to do the challenging, edgy, provocative artistic work for which we are renowned for and have sustained this community for 27 years,” says Johan Zietsman, CEO of the Epcor Centre. “We would have to change the way we think about those, and become a commercial house which is really the last option.”
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City council already helps fund the facility, and says the solution may be to solicit private sector dollars.
“I don’t think it can completely come from government and there could be some changes to how they are managing the facility as well” says councillor Druh Farrell.
Making matters worse, the centre recently lost its title sponsor—a deal worth $4 million over 10 years. However, the Epcor Centre is so short on cash, it can’t afford the $70,000 bill to remove all the branded signs.
They have already approached several companies, but so far no one is interested in a naming deal.
The funding cutbacks take effect in April.
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