Mayor Matt Wren Says Tentative Deal Reached with City of Brockville, the Brockville Theatre Guild and Brockville Operatic Society

Brockville – Brockville Mayor Matt Wren says an agreement has been reached in principle between the city, the Brockville Theatre Guild and Brockville Operatic Society on a five-year lease for the Musi-Theatre at Brockville Arts Centre.

In a post on his Mayor’s Facebook page Friday morning he stated the following:

“I’m pleased to share that the City of Brockville, the Brockville Theatre Guild and Brockville Operatic Society have reached agreement in principle on a five-year lease for the Musi-Theatre at Brockville Arts Centre,” he said. “The terms of the revised lease need Council approval and will be presented to the General Standing Committee on Tuesday, September 19. I am confident the Committee, and eventually Council, will grant approval.”

The Mayor went on to say, “While large percentages had been the focal point of some of the community conversation around this situation, the dollar value at issue was about $6,000 split between the two organizations. However, an increase of that amount all at once turned out to be very difficult to adjust to for the non-profit groups involved. As such, the City has offered to spread the increase out over the term of the lease to make it easier to manage.”

Wren said after meeting with the organizations earlier this summer, it became clear a resolution would require a reconsideration by the Council, and for the matter to go back to the General Standing Committee. Council unanimously agreed to a reconsideration but the process takes a little time, especially when there are fewer Council meetings in the summer months.

“I want to thank representatives of the Theatre Guild and Operatic Society for working with us to resolve this matter. The few bumps along the road are acknowledged, but part of the journey we collectively want to move forward from to maintain our shared focus on the cultural life and priorities of our community,” commented Wren.

“We look forward to having members of the Operatic Society and Theatre Guild in Chambers on Tuesday as a delegation to speak about their long and proud history and upcoming programming.”