Fundraising The Saint John Theatre Company still needs $140,000 for new building

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BRUCE BARTLETT
TELEGRAPH-JOURNAL

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SAINT JOHN - Given the current world economic situation, Stephen Tobias is glad the Saint John Theatre Company's capital campaign to renovate its uptown building is down to the last 10 per cent, instead of just starting out.

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Cindy Wilson/Telegraph-Journal

Stephen Tobias, president and artistic director of the Saint John Theatre Company, is confident the funds needed to finish the building will come in soon.

"We are in as enviable a position as we can be," said the artistic director. "I certainly wouldn't want to be starting a campaign right now because we have a certain amount of momentum."

No matter how bad the economic situation is, there are still people out there with money and Tobias believes they are more likely to want to support a project they know will be successful, instead of taking on an unknown entity.

It has taken the company almost a year longer than planned to get to where it is today after finding major structural problems with the building in the early days. But all of that is behind them now, Tobias said.

A couple of months ago the campaign reached nearly $1.3 million, but still needs around $140,000 to finish off renovations to its first permanent home at 112 Princess St.

"There are a number of people we are currently negotiating things with, and some will work out and some won't," he said. "Hopefully enough of them will work out that we will very soon be able to claim success."

Giving money to improve infrastructure is one of the best things a donor can do because it gives the organization the tools to grow and generate new revenue streams, he said.

All the major internal structural work, including heating, air exchange and the sprinkler system, has been completed.

"The second floor is essentially complete and we occupy it, our offices are there and we rehearsed out production of Chicago in the building," he said.

On the ground floor all the finish work remains, including installing light fixtures, crack filling, painting, installing flooring and bathrooms, estimated at around $30,000. The front facade of the building also has work remaining, including replacing three windows and redoing brickwork, outside lighting and signage, estimated at around $40,000. The company needs to install an elevator as well, for around $85,000.

"Those are the three main scopes of work that at this point in time we don't have confirmed funding for," he said.

The downstairs will house a construction and design workshop, a reception area with an office that can double as a box office for ticketed performances in the building. It will also house the main studio where theatre courses will be offered, including master classes and high end workshops with celebrity guest teachers.

"It could also serve as a rehearsal hall or a place to hold a reception - the building is designed to be available for multiple purposes," he said.

Saint John Theatre Company will continue to put on its major productions at the Imperial Theatre, but could offer smaller performances, with seating for around 100, at the Princess Street home.

"The sky is the limit, but we can't move forward with any of this until we finish the building," Tobias said.