Laura Plosz of Group2 Architecture and Interior Design greets guests at a prior open house. (file photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Opera House/Town Hall project

Battleford mulling report on old opera house/town hall renovation

Feb 18, 2020 | 5:31 PM

Battleford’s mayor and councillors are still considering the renovation and restoration of the old Town Hall building after learning from a recent report it could cost up to $3.5 million.

The restoration would be to the interior of the building’s basement, main floor, and second floor opera house.

Representatives from Group2 Architecture and Interior Design presented recommendations to Battleford lawmakers for the future-use of the former opera house, including a proposed business plan. The report recommended renovating the second storey space to essentially make it more functional.

“It comes as no surprise there isn’t a tremendous amount of support to spend a lot of money to bring it back to an opera house,” Mayor Ames Leslie said following the meeting.

He said most of the community indicated it wants to see the top-floor space as a multi-use facility.

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“For the most part, I think the feedback is they want to focus to make the Town Hall very user-friendly, and maybe bring the town hall a little more up to date for usability,” Leslie said.

The study was spearheaded by Battleford’s Opera House Committee to look at renovating the upper floor, to make the space usable again for the public. The space hasn’t been used since the building was damaged in a fire in 1965, due to the high cost to complete the renovation work on the second storey. The community was consulted to find out how it wanted to use the space.

Group2 Architecture and Interior Design’s Laura Plosz said the firm gathered public input from feedback at the 2019 Operun, three stakeholder sessions, two open houses, a pop-up session at Battleford arena, as well as an online survey and mail out to residents.

The results showed people want the facility to be a place for town business that supports economic development, and is a place to gather, showcase talent, foster learning, and celebrate the area’s history.

Plosz indicated a number of improvements are needed for the second floor, including the addition of washroom facilities, exit stairs and an elevator to meet accessibility rules for building codes.

“Most stakeholders wanted a space with a stage…. a space to have dances, dinner theatres, those types of activities,” she said.

People also wanted the facility to be available for youth and children’s activities.

Projected cost

The firm proposed two options: to use the top floor for a future opera house/multi-purpose hall at a projected cost of about $3.588 million; or turn it into a town-owned museum, gallery, public library or other specific use at an estimated cost of about $3.542 million.

The report showed main floor reinforcement work would be needed to meet the load-requirement of 100 to 200 people for the second-floor use factored into the cost.

Recommendation

The firm proposed upgrading all three floors in the building since they all require work, including updating the main floor administration area, and improving access by installing an elevator, adding stairs required for safe exiting, and making mechanical and electrical upgrades. It also recommended renovating the basement space to make it more usable.

Group2 proposed the project can be undertaken in phases.

The report indicated the town may want to consider fundraising and developing partnerships. It could also look at partnering with a group interested in renting or leasing the second floor.

Mayor Leslie said council will need to discuss the findings later before making any decisions.

—

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow