Image

Petrolia explains fees for community users of theatre

April 22, 2017

Pam Wright
The Independent

Petrolia officials want community groups using Victoria Hall and Victoria Playhouse Petrolia to get a fair shake.
About 15 people came to a meeting held by the town for the community users, April 11.
Twenty groups were invited to hear details of how the facility is operated, and how rental costs are calculated.
Use of the Victoria Hall/VPP is decided on a first come, first serve basis, after the professional theatre season has been set. The cost to community groups to rent the VPP per day is $630, with an additional discount for a week or more.
According to Laurissa Ellsworth, Marketing Manager and the Manager of Front of House, says a fee of $4 is placed on each ticket sold right off the top — $2 of which is used to pay for printing.
Use of the box office, including 24-7 Internet purchasing access, is also factored into the number.
When compared to similar venues in communities across Southwestern Ontario, Petrolia’s fees come in around the middle of the pack with the Grand Theatre in London getting about $8 per ticket (they charge a percentage fee not flat rate) and the Palace Theatre – the home of community theatre in London – charging $2.
According to Ellsworth, the point is to balance the use among groups, ensuring there is fair access and pricing across the board.
A portion of each year’s profits from VPP are put into reserves, Ellsworth says, in order to pay for ongoing upgrades to the theatre’s sound and lighting systems, for example.
“It’s not our intention to make money off the rental of Victoria Hall,” Ellsworth explains, adding the town is aiming to break even, supplying a historic venue for community use.
On the other hand, the goal is to run productions in VPP at a profit. Last year, over $40,000 was placed in reserves from VPP productions
It’s about achieving a balance, Ellsworth says. “We’re trying not to cost the taxpayer money,” she adds.
Representatives from groups attending the meeting say the user group information session was an opportunity for local organizations to network, and to possibly share personnel and services, such as ushers.
Also, starting in 2018, VPP will add three special fundraising performances. One will be to raise money for a registered charity outside Lambton County, one will be to fundraise for the Petrolia Community Fund, and another will raise money for a charity that benefits all of Lambton County.
Victoria Playhouse Petrolia has been a municipal department since 2006. From 2008 to 2011, the facility faced large losses. The current director of cultural services, Richard Poore, was hired with a directive to make money.

Share This

Image
Front Page

‘A dangerous precedent’ CKs mayor says removing EA will have ‘devastating impact’

May 23, 2025

Heather Wright/The Independent Chatham-Kent’s mayor says allowing the York1 Environmental project to move ahead without an Environmental Assessment sets a dangerous precedent. But the Energy Minister and Ministry of Environment staffers continue to say the derelict Dresden dump is an existing landfill and is the quickest option to ease Ontario’s landfill worries in the face of US tariffs. Chatham-Kent Mayor

Read More

Image
Front Page

LCCVI wins AA title at SWOSSAA

May 23, 2025

Heather Wright/The Independent The Lancers claimed the AA title at the SWOSSAA Track and Field Championships. Nine LCCVI athletes competing in 14 events have advanced to the West Region finals at Western University May 29 – 30. Meagan Munro, Kole Chapman, Xander Knapp, Campbelle Brown, James Grant, Hunter Campbell, Darius Landon, Jayden Davis-Lumley, and Jamison Helps will represent the Lancers

Read More

Image
Front Page

One charged in crash which killed six year old from Walpole Island

May 23, 2025

Lambton OPP have charged the passenger of a vehicle which crashed near Sombra, killing a young Walpole Island First Nation boy. April 29, just before 7 pm, a vehicle crashed at the intersection of St. Clair Parkway and West Smith Line in Sombra. A six year old died in the crash. Two others were seriously injured but OPP say they

Read More

Image
Front Page

In camera rants shock Lambton councillors

May 22, 2025

Heather Wright/The Independent There is more than a little tension around the Lambton County council table recently. It stems from an in camera incident which led to shouting loud enough to be heard in the council chambers. It stems, sources tell The Independent, from the investigation by the Integrity Commissioner into the conduct of Sarnia City/County Councillor Bill Dennis. Nov.

Read More