A registered federal charity running Port Coquitlam's Terry Fox Theatre has bowed out of its operating agreement.
Last week, School District 43 issued a news release stating the Port Coquitlam Theatre Society (PCTS) would not be renewing its contract with SD43 to run the 336-seat theatre attached to Terry Fox secondary school. The five-year agreement expires on June 30.
Formerly called the Theatre Advisory Group, or TAG, PCTS has had a rocky relationship with school officials over how to steer the stand-alone facility. In 2008, a mediator was hired to resolve the dispute between TAG and SD43 after nearly a year of negotiations, mainly concerning scheduling.
The conflict arose in 2007 when rehearsals for the musical Hair went off the rails after teachers were told they couldn't hold daytime classes in the theatre. At the time, TAG president Irene Bouchard said the group needed more access for the theatre to be financially viable.
Yesterday, SD43 spokepserson Cheryl Quinton said the transition, which is now being worked out with the city of PoCo, will mean the high school will have "increased access" under a new theatre manager.
Bouchard was unavailable for comment, but PCTS vice-president Pearl Hargreaves said in the release, "The society will continue to work with its community partners to promote arts and culture in Port Coquitlam."
