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By Greg Price
Taber Times
gprice@tabertimes.com

In hopes of bridging the gap that exists in terms of a performing arts facility capable of serving the town’s growing artistic and cultural needs, Taber town council established a committee to investigate that gap.
That committee is now seeking the public’s input through an Arts Facility Open House on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. at the Taber Community Centre Auditorium.

“We have sent out questionnaires to more than 30 groups in the town and the M.D. who we believe could have an interest in such a facility. We have received back replies from quite a few of them, we are pleased with the response back,” said Doug Emek, chairperson for the Performing Arts Centre committee. “We are still getting some back in and the final part of the input will be the open house next week.”

There had been previous efforts by the Arts Council of Taber (ACT) over the past eight years into building a Centre Court for the Performing Arts at the old courthouse/library/police station. But the cost estimate for the facility exceeded $1.7 million that exceeded the organization’s fundraising abilities.

In seeking an alternative, town council pledged to work towards the development of an arts facility in Taber by establishing a broad-based committee to explore options and alternatives with development of an arts facility in Taber within the next five years. Council appointed Laura Ross-Giroux, Tom Machacek, Ray Sheen, Darrell Croft, Ryan Torrie, Pat Shimbashi and Emek to the committee.

“The arts are an important part of any community, not just unique to Taber. It’s part of what makes a community livable and a desirable place to live,” said Emek. “What we are looking for is the feasibility of developing a performing arts facility in Taber and what should it look like. Should it be more multi-purpose functions or strictly a theatre? If we do believe it’s feasible and it will be based on our feedback (questionnaires, open house), what will the implementation plan look like to build it.”

The committee will be welcoming input and feedback from any Taber or area resident regarding the concept of an arts facility in Taber at the Arts Facility Open House on Oct. 28 at the Taber Community Centre Auditorium.
“We are hoping an awful lot of people come. There will be a bit of a presentation from the committee and what our task is and what we have done so far. We’re not going to be sharing results of what we’ve got so far as that is premature and we are still gathering information,” said Emek. “We want to get as much feedback as possible in order for us to make an informed recommendation to town council in November.”

In the event you are unable to attend the open house, are residents can complete the survey available at http://www.taber.ca or at the town administration building.

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