A warm welcome back! It has been some time since I’ve penned an entry in this blog. There are reasons for this but they are not important today. For those reading this, you might want to check out our new presence on Facebook. For those who have found their way here via our new Facebook page, welcome.

It really is incredible how our communications have changed. In 1993 when the Capitol Theatre screened its last film and closed its doors for what appeared to be the final time, the internet was a new phenomenon. In fact, it wasn’t until later in the 1990’s that this incredible communication vehicle became such an integral part of how we communicate and do business. Now, as we approach the re-opening of the Capitol, we have created a Facebook presence.

On behalf of all of us at the Capitol, may I extend to one and all our best wishes for a very Happy New Year. For the Capitol, it will be the year that the vision becomes a reality and the Capitol will once again welcome audiences through our doors. As I remind the staff here at the Capitol, the end of construction is just the beginning. For so long now we have been focussed on the construction process and securing the funding necessary to complete the project that the notion of what might actually take place on the new stage has been pushed off the public debate. Now however, we are poised to complete the construction and it is important for that question to rise to the surface.

Events will come to the Capitol in essentially two ways: through external organizations renting the facilities, and through the Capitol itself engaging entertainers to perform. The latter cannot be performed in a vacuum and we are turning to you for input into that process.

On this web site is an area where you can register your ideas for programmes that you would like to see at the Capitol. However, this comes with the following caveat; not all of your ideas will come to fruition for a whole host of reasons. The artist may not be available or touring and/or the costs might become prohibitive are two of the more usual reasons. However, don’t let that deter you. Whether we can bring your ideas to Chatham or not, our decisions will be better informed by your input.

Please check back here often for updates and information. In the not too distant future, we will be announcing our opening line up and inaugural season and, (this is very exciting for us), just how you can buy tickets!

In my business there’s an old saying that you don’t review the reviewer or criticize the critic. I have, for the most part, taken this stance when it comes to responding publicly to editorial positions in local newspapers or writers of letters to the editor of those same publications. Every once in a while however, something is said or alleged that requires comment.



In the Chatham Daily News of July 15, there is an editorial praising Chatham-Kent Council for their stance with the funding for the proposed YMCA and an admonishment of the provincial and federal governments for not committing funding to this project before now. The editorial goes on to say, “When one sees how many millions in government funding has been poured into the Capitol Theatre project, one would think providing funds to the YMCA plan is a no brainer. It's a better, and smaller, investment. It's likely more Chatham-Kent residents will make use of the YMCA facilities, and such use is generally for physical exercise, of great benefit to our population and our health-care system in terms of improved quality of life.”



For the record, the citizens of Chatham-Kent have contributed, through the municipal granting process, a total of $1 million. The remainder of the money to complete the Capitol has come from a combination of senior levels of government, municipal repayable loans, and, importantly, over $4 million of private largess from the supporters of the Capitol.





One wonders what research was undertaken to allege that the YMCA is a better investment or that more residents will make use of the facilities. What is missed in this editorial is the fact that both the YMCA and the Capitol Theatre are there to serve the same purpose – the improvement of the quality of life for our citizens and the enhancement of its infrastructure and vitality of our community.



The mark of any mature community is the provision of a wide range of social and recreational amenities for its citizens. The Capitol Theatre is about to proudly take its place and we look forward to welcoming our colleagues at the YMCA when their new building further adds to the Chatham-Kent landscape.

Since joining the ranks of the CCTA I have been quoted on numerous occasions suggesting that the costs of completing the Capitol Theatre are more than reasonable. In fact, I have said, and reiterate again, that the final price tag is a bargain for this community. It’s a comment that has resulted in some criticism of me, but I stand behind that statement.



I offer the following as some measure of the credibility of my allegation. Here are but a few cost comparators for your information:



Total approximate cost of completed Capitol Theatre $18,750,000

Seating capacity 1,200 seats



The Rose Theatre in Brampton:



Total construction costs $55,000,000

Seating capacity 880 seats



Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts (opened Feb. of 2009)



Total construction costs $30,000,000

Seating capacity 631 seats



Burlington Performing Arts Centre (opening in 2011)



Total construction budget $36,200,000

Seating capacity Main auditorium 730 seats

Seating capacity studio theatre 225 seats



Niagara Centre for the Arts, St. Catherines (still in planning stages)



Total construction estimate $75,432,885

Note: centre contains 3 venues all with smaller capacities than the Capitol plus a fine arts school in partnership with Brock University.



I believe the numbers speak for themselves.