Motion (Public Session)

Regent Theatre

Moved by:  Councillor Louise Parkes

Seconded by:  ____________________________________________

July 16, 2007

That Oshawa City Council express its thanks to all volunteers who have participated in the Regent Theatre Renewal Program for their important contribution and invite them to receive a certificate of recognition at the September 4, 2007, Council Meeting; and,

That the Mayor provide a letter on behalf of Oshawa City Council thanking Mr. Hans Jain for recognizing the importance of arts and culture in our community and stepping forward as a potential partner in an effort to save and restore the Regent Theatre; and,

That the Regent Theatre property be declared potentially surplus to municipal needs and that staff be authorized to advertise the potential sale of the Regent Theatre Site in accordance with By-law 97-2000 and to obtain such appraisals as required by the said By-law; and,

That a working group be struck comprised of Councillor Parkes, Mr. Tom Hodgins, Commissioner of Development Services, and Mr. David Tuley, Downtown Development Officer, to establish the key business terms for a potential sale of the Regent Theatre that will result in its restoration and operation as a performance venue by Mr. Glyn Laverick, with the City Solicitor and the Auditor General to be consulted; and,

That, upon termination of the lease with the Oshawa Folks Arts Council, that the working group, in consultation with the Director, Facility and Project Management or his designate, be authorized to permit access to the Regent Theatre to interested third parties, their contractors and agents for condition assessment purposes and costing provided that such parties first execute a licence and indemnity agreement together with proof of the appropriate insurance in a form as approved by the City Solicitor, in which case the Mayor and Clerk are hereby authorized to execute such licence and indemnity agreements from time to time; and,

That the key business terms for any potential agreement to sell the Regent Theatre are to have regard to the guiding principles attached in Appendix ”A“ and shall be premised on no operating grant or capital investment outside of that provided under the current CIP for downtown being required from the City of Oshawa; and,

That, upon establishment of the key business terms and the provision of a signed agreement to purchase by Mr. Laverick, in a form as approved by the City Solicitor, but in advance of authorization or execution of the said agreement by the City, that the Commissioner, Development Services be authorized to sign such building and other City permits or applications as may be required by Mr. Laverick to permit restoration to commence as soon as possible after taking title; and,

That a draft agreement, in a form as approved by the City Solicitor, be presented to Council on Sept 4th, 2007, in public session for Council consideration.

Appendix ”A“

Project Guiding Principles

1.            Preservation and continuation of the name ”Regent Theatre,“ due to the historical significance of the theatre and its importance to the Oshawa community.

2.            The name "Regent Theatre" is to be retained as inscribed in the frieze above the central arcade.

3.            Immediate restoration of the theatre’s Georgian architectural façade, reflecting the original design of the Regent Theatre, which is designated as a heritage building.

4.            Restoration of the interior will ensue, with specific care given to the conservation of all original-detail work that is reasonably retainable in the theatre’s interior (i.e., a classically inspired frieze complete with egg and dart moulding, pilasters with wreath decorations, a three part round arcade with Corinthian columns and decorative keystones, ornate plaster detailing on the ceiling, etc.).

5.            The parking lot behind the theatre will be retained for future expansion of the theatre.

6.            The construction/restoration of the edifice will be privately financed by the operator.

7.            The operator will be eligible for any existing or future grants available through the Community Improvement Plan, the City of Oshawa, and the Federal and Provincial Government of Canada.

8.            Councillor Parkes will advise Mr. Bob Duignan, Tom Hodgins, and the Mayor and members of Council, immediately after a site visit has concluded and there is agreement by Mr. Glyn Laverick to the project guiding principles as stated herein. 

9.            Respective lawyers will be invited to be a part of negotiations contingent upon completion of the agreement in principle. (This is imperative in order to expedite the negotiation process and reduce legal expenses for Mr. Laverick and the City of Oshawa.) 

10.       Staff will initiate all necessary permits for a project commencement date of September 15, 2007, upon concurrence by all parties and approval from City Council.

11.       Construction of the theatre’s exterior will begin by September 15, 2007, contingent upon the acquisition of all requisite permits.

12.       Construction of the façade will be completed by December 2007.

13.       Councillor Parkes shall remain involved throughout the negotiation of the agreement.

14.       The Regent Theatre shall be sold to the operator for a sum equivalent to the amount it was last purchased for in 2001. This amount shall be carried as a mortgage (without interest), and shall be discharged upon completion of all restoration items and the operation of the Regent Theatre as a live-performance venue for a period of ten (10) years.