The Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts is in the red.
How to turn it around was a prime focus of the remarks from Kali Weber, the Dekker Centre’s new general manager, at Monday’s North Battleford city council meeting.
Weber was there to present the organization’s annual report. The financial statement she presented painted a grim picture: the accumulated deficit for the year ending Dec. 31, 2018 was listed at $10,889.
Right from the outset, Weber acknowledged the financial hole and took responsibility for it.
“The year-end shows a significant deficit,” said Kali Weber at the outset of her remarks Monday.
“The entire team at the Dekker Centre knows this and acknowledges it, and I’m going to spend a lot of my time tonight talking about our plan to move forward.”
The city provides an annual grant to the Dekker Centre of $235,000, an amount that was increased last year by $15,000. Despite that increase, the facility has gone into the red.
Weber has been in her role for 10 months following the departure of longtime manager Moe McGuinty last year. In the past year Weber noticed two significant “problems,” as she put it. “I call them problems because problems can be solved,” she said.
One she identified was the programming at the Dekker Centre. The lineup for 2018-19 was “not diverse enough to bring in a wide variety of patrons,” Weber said.
It was a program created before her arrival, which she executed. The marketing expenses had increased, but the “engagement in shows was not there.”
A second problem she identified was that the Dekker Centre had not held a significant fundraising event for 15 months – a problem for a non-profit organization that relies heavily on fundraising.
“When our residents are not attending our shows, we are not meeting our mission,” Weber said.
To turn things around, Weber said the organization is implementing a new strategic plan focusing on two significant changes.
One is to create a season that “has a show in it for every member of our community,” said Weber.
That includes a dedicated family series, an illusionist, dance and theatre, and bringing in more shows that “have a mass appeal to our population and are a little bit more fun and exciting.”
More country acts, such as George Canyon and Michelle Wright, are on the schedule, as is children’s entertainer Fred Penner. Weber said in her presentation to council that country music tends to play well in the Battlefords.
Weber also is pledging a change to their fundraising by forming a new fundraising task force. A subcommittee has been formed to put on a Jan. 11 gala fundraiser featuring talent from the Battlefords. Advertising begins in August for auditions for that show.
Weber expressed confidence that the financial situation can be turned around at the Dekker Centre.
“The lack of community engagement in our organization is a problem of our own making,” said Weber. “The board, myself and my staff will be working tirelessly so that a year from now I hope we can present a financial statement that will shift us towards our strategic imperative.”
In general council appreciated Weber’s remarks and generally expressed support for the Dekker Centre and its vision moving forward.
Councillor Greg Lightfoot noted a performance by Matt Dusk. At one point, he sang without the microphone in a performance that took full advantage of the acoustics of the Dekker Centre.
“He just wanted to show the audience what an acoustical facility this is,” said Lightfoot. “Everybody could hear him and hear him clear, and it was phenomenal ... it is a fantastic facility.”
Mayor Ryan Bater later expressed to reporters his appreciation that the Dekker Centre was facing the financial challenges strategically.
“Not only was she acknowledging challenges but she was presenting solutions,” said Bater.
