Fredericton affirms commitment to performing arts

The City of Fredericton wants to make clear that its next big project is a performing arts centre, and that's what it will be focusing on.

The statement comes after nearby communities such as Hanwell and New Maryland rejected the idea of putting in any money for the new centre. 

• New $40M centre recommended to replace Fredericton's Playhouse 
• Performing arts centre for Fredericton would boost economy 
• Fredericton performing arts centre loses potential funding

"The city still intends to fulfil their commitment," said Fredericton Deputy Mayor Kate Rogers. 

The city has committed $14-million to the centre. Rogers says 10 per cent of the investment was to be made by the regional communities around Fredericton.  

"It's such an important piece of our community. It's an important economic driver, it's an important quality of life amenity, and council recognizes that," said Rogers.

Rogers has served on the Playhouse board of directors for six years, but insists that doesn't influence her decisions.

"We wear different hats all the time, right. We serve on different boards, play on different teams, participate in different groups, and we have to be very careful to keep that work separate," said Rogers.

"I think a community of this size, it's natural.  So I've just been very careful to wear different hats at each table and it hasn't posed a problem."

No pool in sight

Some groups in Fredericton, such as the Fredericton Diving Club, have started talks on getting a new pool in the city. The Lady Beaverbrook Gymnasium, which houses the Max Aitken Pool, is aging and will remain open until 2018 at the latest.

• Fredericton diving club seeks ways to fight for facility 
• Former Olympian surprised no contingency plan for UNB pool 
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But Rogers said a pool is not in the city's plans. 

"We're certainly as a city very interested in participating in those conversations, but we don't want to put any false hopes out there that we're going to be taking on those projects," said Rogers. 

She said there's a lot that needs to happen before the city makes any kind of commitment.

"We need to analyze needs as they stand currently, where they'll be when the UNB pool is decommissioned," said Rogers. 

"We need to take into account what sort of facilities are required, what the cost is in that facility, so we're many steps away from making any kind of financial commitment."

Airport expansion

The Fredericton International Airport is in the midst of raising funds for its expansion. The $30-million expansion would see the addition of a second security line, an expansion of the holding room, and an improvement to the bathrooms. 

• Fredericton International Airport looking for $30M to expand

The airport is looking for a $10-million investment from both the provincial and federal government, but there is no plan of financial investment from the city. Rogers said not all investments are financial. 

"It's not so much money. It's more of just advocating on behalf of the airport how important that piece of infrastructure is within our community, within our city and within our region as a whole," said Rogers.  

"So the city has been very vocal about advocating that and spreading that message."

Information Morning - Fredericton8:31Kate Rogers - Capital Projects

The city re-asserts the Performing Arts Centre as its number one capital priority. We hear from the deputy mayor.