‘Exorbitant’ cost of theatre rental slammed

WHAT have been described as “exorbitant rental costs” have led to the newly built theatre and adjoining meeting rooms in Kilkee library being put out of the reach of local community groups.

 

It emerged this week that 20 bookings during the months or July and August were cancelled because of the rental fees and the theatre will only be in use for four nights between now and the end of next month.

The cost for community groups renting the theatre or rooms, which opened in February following a €1.6 million refurbishment of the library, was highlighted at Monday’s Kilrush Electoral Area meeting, which was addressed by Kilkee Town Councillor Paddy Collins.

“The reason this came up was because there were two groups in Kilkee, Kilkee Civic Trust and Amphitheatre Kilkee, who had booked 20 nights out of 60 in July and August. That was one-third of the available nights. Amphitheatre were being quoted prices of €4,200 to stage 10 shows in the theatre for the summer. Normally when Amphitheatre put on summer shows in Kilkee they make about €1,000 or €1,500. That’s when their events were held in Kilkee Community Centre. But all of a sudden they’re being asked for over €4,000,” Councillor Collins said.

“Kilkee Civic Trust, who are a completely voluntary group and have free talks every Wednesday night, were being quoted nearly €1,500 for the summer. Due to that, both groups had to pull out of the library. The primary school in Kilkee was also quoted a rather large fee when they wanted to have an award-giving ceremony so they pulled out,” the Kilkee town councillor revealed.

Pointing out that Clare County Council, who operate the library/theatre, charge a commission fee on tickets sold for events in the building, Councillor Collins warned the facility may not be utilised unless a local management committee is placed in charge.

“As well as the fees, they’re also looking for 7% commission on all tickets sold. It’s being run as a commercial venture and it’s supposed to be a community library and theatre. The fear is that the library in Kilkee is going to make no money this summer. I think there’s four nights booked for the remainder of July and August in the theatre.

“The fear is if there isn’t a management structure put in around it, with local involvement, the whole theatre is going to be mothballed. It is a fabulous facility but what we’re looking for is a local management structure set up. Not just the local politicians but people from different community groups, within the town and the West Clare area,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of Clare County Council, Kilkee town manager Anne Haugh said costs have to be recouped but Clare County Council is open to the establishment of a theatre advisory group, which could involve representatives from Kilkee Town Council.

“It is important to point out that a budget was agreed for the facility at the beginning of the year. While nobody wants to see business going out the door, the reality is it is being operated on a full cost-recovery basis. So any event that’s held there, they have to make back the full cost of operating it. They can’t end up with a loss at the end of the year,” Ms Haugh explained.

Councillor Collins said, “The reason we brought it here is we’re hoping that Clare County Council back up Kilkee Town Council and go for the establishment of a board of management around the library.”

County librarian Helen Walsh explained in a written statement, “The theatre is presently managed by a theatre manager, who works closely with the county arts officer. The theatre commenced use on April 8 and programming for the summer months is ongoing. Responsibility for budgetary commitments and programming of the theatre lies with the arts officer and the county librarian, as does management of the facility.

“As this is the first quarter of operations at the theatre and the summer programme is almost finalised, a more appropriate and opportune time to review operations, in the context of planning for 2013, would be at the end of the season,” the reply added.

Commenting on the issue, Kilkee Fianna Fáil county councillor Pat Keane said community groups cannot expect free use of the theatre.

“It’s important that we get as much use as is possible out of it but it’s also important that it’s kept to a good standard. I think to do that there will be costs and people will have to realise that there will be costs. People were used to getting the community centre for nothing and I suppose it’s a big jump but I think there can be middle ground here somewhere.

“I think it would be important that we would have a meeting with the director of services and the librarian. There is an issue in relation to keeping it monitored. That takes staff and that comes with a cost and the cost will have to be met. But there can be a compromise reached,” Councillor Keane stated.
Kildysart Fine Gael councillor Oliver Garry suggested theatre rental costs should be appraised on an individual basis.

“I don’t think there should be set costs. I think you should try and accommodate individual, voluntary or community groups with negotiating a price and not have a set price. Look at every group as an individual group and negotiate a price,” he said.

The meeting agreed that electoral area chairman Bill Chambers will seek to set up a meeting with director of services Bernadette Kinsella and a number of councillors.