A report from the new manager of the Oliver Parks and Recreation to the Society’s board of directors has opened up a conversation that until today has remained “fairly private”.

In this report dated November 13th, Carol Sheridan says “I have attended meetings of the committee tasked with developing a budget and securing funding for the facility and creating an operating agreement.”

This committee is comprised of School District #53, Regional District Okanagan Similkameen,  the Town of Oliver, Sheridan (representing an existing joint services agreement) and Wendy Newman, theatre consultant.

The new Frank Venables Theatre is a gift to the community,  valued at about 12 million dollars and the School District will not be operating the facility.

The report goes on to say… “As this new facility will not be operated by School District #53, the current financial situation makes it necessary for a tax requisition from the Town and RDOS to fund the start up costs and on-going operating funds of the theatre.”

Sheridan told her board “Area C Director Allan Patton is not comfortable asking the taxpayers for additional dollars to fund this project and warned me that there could be an impact on the Parks and Recreation budget through a decrease in the amount of tax requisition dollars we receive in 2014 and beyond”.

Further meetings of the three funding partners are scheduled and both the RDOS and the Town have not yet opened the subject up to public scrutiny.

The start up costs and 2014 operating budget could amount to $150,000 with some of the costs covered by the School District – but new dollars will have to be raised locally for management, promotion and maintenance.

The theatre opening has been delayed – with no firm date known – with an expectation the seats could be in use by March 1st.