By Angela Brown

Dekker Centre dealing with financial challenges

Jun 27, 2018 | 5:00 PM

The Dekker Centre is expected to move out of the red and into the black in the near future after finishing 2017 with a $17,500 deficit, based on the general manager’s latest report.

When the Dekker Centre of the Performing Arts’ General Manager Moe McGuinty presented the City of North Battleford with the audited 2017 financial statement at Monday’s council meeting, he said the centre is facing financial challenges as it strives to fill more seats to increase revenue.

“You hate to put it in the context of ‘use it or lose it,’ but the attendance in these shows is not what it was ever anticipated,” he said.

The centre grossed $545,000 in revenue last year, with expenses coming in at $562,000, resulting in the net deficit for the year. While the centre is in the red now, McGuinty said it should be in the black again in about six months.

“We try desperately, as mandated by the city, to provide a diverse program of live entertainment every year, and we have done it,” he said.

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“That is a balance we have to try and come to grips with,” McGuinty said. “If nobody is going to come, then at some point you have to pull the plug, which is a shame.” 

He said there are some acts in the upcoming program, which runs from September until May of 2019, that promise good sales.

During the meeting, Coun. Kent Lindgren, a Dekker Centre board member, said attendance needs a boost if the finances are going to improve.

“It would help if people came out and support it,” he said. “Your attendance is support, but we want you to come to everything.” 

Lindgren noted the city has increased its contribution to the Dekker Centre in 2018 and going forward to $235,000 per year, which will help improve the centre’s bottom line.

McGuinty said the Dekker Centre managed to put about $50,000 worth of support back into the community in 2017 by offering the venue for local performing arts groups. 

“That is our mandate,” he said. “One of our mandates given to us by the city is to promote the local arts community.”

McGuinty to retire

McGuinty will be retiring this year, after serving with the Dekker Centre for six years, since the facility first opened.

Mayor Ryan Bater took the opportunity to recognize McGuinty’s service and the good work he has done for the centre.

“You took a facility that was a dream, an idea. It was a building, and you turned it into an enterprise we’re all proud of,” the mayor said following McGuinty’s presentation. “You’ve done a remarkable job for the last six years.”

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW