The convention centre and the Halifax Central Library aren’t the only buildings that have an impact on the city’s cultural landscape. This week was supposed to be the big unveiling of Citadel High School’s theatre, now officially referred to as the Spatz Theatre. However, last-minute constructions delays have postponed the ribbon-cutting and the premiere of Out of Lunenberg, a Gilbert & Sullivan Society production written by Jim Bennet (Singalong Jubilee). If you already purchased tickets for the January 28-29 performances (ticketatlantic.ca), they will be honoured on the rescheduled dates of March 3-4. Don’t worry, this is actually good news. Hopefully by March, the shitshow sheet of ice we refer to as Ahern Avenue will melt, so you won’t have to wear cleats to the show.
Back in August, the Bloomfield master plan was approved by city council and an RFP was awarded to David W. Harrison Ltd. to produce for a report on how to best implement that plan for the north end multi-use residential, arts and cultural space. Harrison, known for its work redeveloping churches, is now finished that report, which will be presented for council approval in the near future.
The provincial and federal governments announced that they are investing $108,000 in a feasibility study that will investigate the cost of a new, expanded Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. Back in 2009, The Coast reported on some of the major issues faced by the current historic facilities, including flooding caused by uneven bedrock. “The building’s falling down around our ears,” AGNS CEO Ray Cronin told reporter Sean Flinn in December 2009, who wrote, “that’s in addition to the lighting, windows, HVAC and air-handling systems all requiring replacement to improve energy efficiency and lifespan.”
“Trying to fit an art museum in a historic building is a very expensive proposition,” said Cronin.
This article appears in Jan 27 – Feb 2, 2011.