The newly-installed general manager for the Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts is enjoying what he calls a warm reception from North Battleford.
Moe McGuinty, originally from North Bay, Ont., says the "Battlefords have thrilled us to death so far."
"We're just smiling all the time around here," he said.
McGuinty noted his wife have been taken aback at first because "people would continually wave at her," noting the friendliness of the community. "We think that's pretty nice."
The general manager starts his new job May 1.
The Dekker Centre, part of the Credit Union CUPlex, is in the final stages of construction. The building of the theatre is far enough along that McGuinty expects to be able to establish his office within the Dekker Centre itself around June 1.
The hiring concludes a long and somewhat bumpy process over the past several months. Anthony Edgington of Victoria, B.C. was hired to the general manager's position earlier this year, but parted ways with the theatre's board within days.
McGuinty's hiring was made public April 17, though word of his hiring had circulated unofficially for a couple of weeks. McGuinty will report to the Dekker Centre's board of directors.
McGuinty has an extensive performing background as an actor, singer and songwriter. He spent 14 years performing throughout North America before he "hung up his guitar" for a career in business.
While he does not have a background managing theatres, he does have business and management consulting experience including several years in the hospitality and tourism sector where he built and managed a number of resorts in Ontario.
Still, he has remained close to his artistic roots by winning a regional poetry competition, acting in a movie and performing children's concerts with Toronto's Suitcase Theatre Company. He has also run theatrical special events and festivals from time to time.
He was attracted to North Battleford for a number of reasons, he said. One was that it was an opportunity to get back to living in a smaller community after living in Toronto for two years. As well, he got the itch to broaden his horizons beyond Ontario.
With their five children now grown up, he and his wife Wendy decided it was time to "see the world again."
While North Battleford is a long way from Ontario, the surroundings don't seem so unfamiliar. McGuinty described the city as being "like North Bay 30 years ago."
As for his own background, he admits there will be a "learning curve", but looks forward to the opportunity to combine his business background with his passion for the arts and theatre.
"To do that anywhere would be quite a treat, but to do it in this community with an incredible facility you folks built over there, I think I have landed in heaven," said McGuinty.
He commends the community for its generosity in getting the theatre and the Credit Union CUPlex off the ground. He expressed a desire to see the CUPlex fundraising campaign reach its $10 million target, adding there are still sponsorship opportunities available for a few of the seats at the theatre.
"We'd like to sell all those before the grand opening," said McGuinty.
The new general manager anticipates a busy few months getting the Dekker Centre up and running and making sure all booking opportunities are maximized. One priority is to see the facility used as much as possible by the local arts community.
"We want to do everything to ensure the local arts community can feel comfortable and feel that's their home," McGuinty said.
As well, the facility must be looked at as a multi-use facility, he says. McGuinty plans to promote the space and work with local hotel associations to make the facility available for conferences and seminars.
Last, but not least, is to develop a schedule of live entertainment everyone can enjoy, said McGuinty.
"I think we'll run the spectrum, as most of these facilities do, from fine arts presentations to all genres of music and comedy, and live touring acts."
He sees mid-to-late September as a likely month for the official grand opening ceremonies to take place for the Dekker Centre. McGuinty does expect opportunities for the facility to be opened up before that time, with soft openings to "get the sounds and lights right, things like that."
McGuinty expects that prior to the grand opening, a schedule of events should be ready that will take the facility through Christmas.
There is no shortage of potential acts he wants to attract. McGuinty said there is a vibrant arts community throughout Canada, and the list he is developing of potential performers "goes on and on and on."
But he also stresses the importance of building the Dekker Centre's reputation as a well run facility that treats performers well.
"The word spreads very quickly in this country," said McGuinty, as to where are "the good places to play and the bad places to play."
McGuinty wants positive word of mouth to spread about the Dekker Centre because he believes that will attract performers.
"It's amazing how flexible people can be with their touring schedule, even with their budgets, if all of their buddies are saying 'hey you should see the Battlefords, they treat you great.'"
