OLIVER – A $12-million auditorium scheduled to open next spring is still without an operating agreement between the three stakeholders.

The new Frank Venables Auditorium, located at Southern Okanagan Secondary School, pictured under construction. Picture Oliver Daily News

OLIVER – A $12-million auditorium scheduled to open on February 6th is still without an operating agreement between the three stakeholders.

The new Frank Venables Auditorium, located at Southern Okanagan Secondary School, will replace the old facility which burned down in September 2011. It’s a joint project with the Okanagan Similkameen School District (which owns the land and building), Town of Oliver and Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen.

But, as of Thursday, there’s only an interim agreement in place on how it will be managed. “We’re still in the preliminary stages,” said Oliver Mayor Ron Hovanes. “We are looking at the operating costs of the theatre once it’s up and running. which is very soon. I can say all three parties are working very well together. It’s very collaborative and we look forward to the grand opening of our incredible theatre.” Hovanes said the town has honoured its financial obligations for the construction of the building, which was put to a plebiscite. At Wednesday’s meeting of the Okanagan Similkameen School District, superintendent Bev Young agreed the three partners are close to an operating deal. She notes there is an “interim” arrangement to guarantee that the theatre opens on time. “It’s hard to say where we are,” Young said. “We’re a lot closer now than we were two weeks ago and we’ll be a lot closer tomorrow than we are today.” “The district has itemized what our contribution will be in terms of in-kind and upkeep. Each party has to go back to their electoral government.” There are no facility rentals yet booked for the 400-seat facility.

RDOS director Allan Patton, who represents Area C (rural Oliver), is a strong supporter of the project, but worries about operational costs. “I wouldn’t say we’re close. We’re still dealing with some funding issues,” he said in an interview, on Thursday. “I have some issues. I don’t mind going to the taxpayer for some of the money, but not all of it because there could be a sizable tax increase in Area C. This has come right in the middle of all our other budget discussion.” Patton fears “the unexpected,” noting the original quote often doesn’t match the final bill when other factors enter the equation on projects such as these. Young said the three parties will issue a joint press release next week on the progress to date.

James Miller is the Editor of the Penticton Herald