The Portage and District Arts Centre in Portage la Prairie was recently painted a grim picture with regard to a 62 percent cut in their budget.
Council President Doug Halmarson expresses their thoughts.
Halmarson notes the figures involved make one stop and think.
"We were cut by 62 percent. We did show a surplus this past year of $17,000 in our operating expenses. The interesting thing was the City's cut to our grant was $17000. So, it's pretty concerning. It is about six percent of our operating budget also."
He says they've worked very hard for the past 15 years since the time they were $30,000 in the hole, on the edge of bankruptcy. They worked their way toward a healthier financial position, but have always considered that money to be a source of revenue to increase programming, as well as improve the facilities. Halmarson adds they currently have a floor that is in desperate need of replacement,, with a hefty price tag. He says their air circulation in the dance studio is not up to par, which will also cost a significant amount, and they've been saving money for the last two years to repair that. With the $17,000 decrease in funding, it will put a damper plans they've hoped to fulfil this year.
Halmarson says they cannot avoid replacing the floor, while they cover the loose tiles will carpet to hide them. And the dance floor air system will have to be repaired, but
Their two pilot projects on fundraising and financial management brought to light the possibility for facility expansion in the near future. They planned on either having additional facilities outside the building or finding other space in the Glesby Centre. However, Halmarson says they'll have to be put on hold for the time being.
He notes their staff is very much overworked most of the time due to the variety of things they do, making it a complex operation. Halmarson says they wanted to at least take a look at how their staffing works or increase staffing, with the help of consultants, but that will also have to be put on hold. He chuckles and adds consultants are expensive.
"We've been re-evaluating our position, and I think that we have to work really hard a body to redevelop a better relationship with the city. Five years ago we were part of the list of ad hoc committees with the city. We had a city councillor assigned to our committee and organization who would come to meetings when possible, and take out concerns back to council, and also represent us at the table when it was necessary. When I looked back through the records to 2012 our name disappeared from that list. And I guess part of our job will be to be able to show the city that we're valuable partners, and we'd like to be back on that list, and back in a closer relationship with them."
Halmarson adds he feels all of these types of organizations in town really enrich our community. He says in most cases they work on limited budgets, and have a hard time accomplishing things without help from the city, other organizations, and individual citizens. Halmarson adds, "To see cuts to that funding is pretty disturbing."
Halmarson notes the staff feels really devalued, working quite hard. He says they used part of the surplus to give them a bonus just before Christmas as some appreciation for their work. He says they now realize that saw them spend money they didn't have.
Halmarson says, "I don't want to put words in their mouths. I'm sure that if we asked any of them, that they do value the arts and these community organizations. And I know when it comes to crunch time with infrastructure, and things like that, these are things that are pretty easy to maybe take a look at cutting just a bit. But we feel these organizations are really valuable. They do attract people to Portage, and have to be fostered and funded."
Sun, May 5, 10:00 AM
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