Budget season can be difficult.
With a finite number of resources and so much on the table for expenses, mayors and city councillors, as well as MLAs and MPs, have some difficult decisions to make every time budget season comes around.
I do not envy anyone whose job it is to allocate funds to projects. However, I am saddened to see the possibility of a fieldhouse and theatre complex pushed so far into the future.
But it is a necessity at this point in time.
During the 2016 budget talks, the city considered starting a reserve for a fieldhouse and theatre.
The subject did not return in 2018, virtually guaranteeing the project will not start any time soon.
And now the city’s five-year capital plan, part of the 2018 city budget, does not include funds allocated to a new theatre.
While this is disappointing, the city is spending money in other important directions.
Peter Bergquist, director of public works and utilities for the City of Humboldt, presented his annual report outlining what work needs to be done to keep up with wear and tear during an infrastructure update presentation in March 2017.
Forty-seven per cent of Humboldt’s sewer mains and 46 per cent of its water mains were installed in or before the 1970s.
Public Works’ capital plan addresses these aging water mains and roadways, allocating funding for the next five years to improve a substantial portion of the city’s aging infrastructure.
Also included in this year’s plan are upkeep and maintenance of city buildings in need of repair.
Council calls this asset management, and it is just as important as developing new facilities.
So where does the fieldhouse and theatre plan stand?
City Manager Joe Day with the City of Humboldt says that even if funding is not being allocated or discussed at the moment, a new facility is not completely off the table.
And Brian Grest with Arts Humboldt says it is fully understood that, with budget cuts, the delay is a sign of the economic times rather than a sign that the plan is not a priority for the city.
“We’re still mourning the loss of Sutherland Theatre,” Grest said. “With recent budget cuts by the province, I suspect that the city has had to put any plans for a future performing arts facility on hold – and completely understandably.”
Even if the budget delay is understandable, there are still many people in Humboldt excited for a dedicated theatre space.
The arts community is a small but mighty one.
Arts Humboldt is working hard to bring live music opportunities into Humboldt.
The Humboldt Community Theatre is working to get live theatre back in Humboldt, mounting a production this past weekend.
The OnStage Dance competition and community dance companies could a space to call their own.
We have the community to make a theatre successful.
Hopefully it won’t take too long before the community can afford to bring one to fruition.
