Arts Council of New Westminster A Vision for Theatre in New Westminster

Print Close

The Burr Theatre - A History

As recounted by Hilda Cliffe, Past President, Arts Council

Some time in the Downtown Business Improvement Association (DBIA) year 1990-91 its Board held a retreat visioning an improved Columbia Street. Columbia Street had become a very sleazy area in the late 80's (after Expo had brought Skytrain to New Westminster), businesses declining etc. One of their visions was to bring live theatre back to the street and the purchase of the Columbia Theatre was being considered.

Of the possible two existing theatre buildings on Columbia Street, the Paramount was being established as an adult entertainment venue and the Columbia Theatre (as it was still called then) had become the home of the Eagles.

The Eagles had removed all the theatre seats, covered the sloping floor with a level floor built an industrial kitchen behind the stage area and turned the main floor into a Reception Venue. Their club room was upstairs equipped with a bar, small dance floor, pool table, card tables, food service and separate entrance and elevator from Columbia Street.

At that time, the Eagles were having financial difficulties and were looking for sources of substantial revenue/income or even selling out.

The DBIA saw the possibilities of the Columbia Theatre but wanted to know if the city's performing arts groups would be supportive of the venture. The Arts Council received a call from Netty Tam (Executive Director of the DBIA) and I met with her and Ron Beal. I was president of the Arts Council at the time. At the first meeting I could see the possibilities but also that the financial investment would be something that the groups in question would balk at probably finding the fund raising perhaps beyond their ability -  particularly Vagabond Players who already had a theatre in Queen's Park. Other groups such as the NW Symphony, the Royal City Youth Ballet and some of the choirs would probably see it as a suitable place for their performances and rehearsals and office space.

The DBIA was prepared to invest money in the building and approach the City to get involved. Tours of both the Paramount and the Columbia were arranged for representatives of the groups. The Columbia was by far the better venue ... a solid structure with more possibilities than the Paramount which was quite narrow and without a basement.

For my part I got representatives from the Arts Council's member groups and other performing arts groups together with Ron and Netty, and as I predicted, most were in favour  - especially if they would be guaranteed some use of the theatre, but were reluctant to commit to financial involvement. There followed about 3 years of committee work during which time the DBIA put up $10 000, the City put up some money and two studies were conducted. One was a for structural soundness/seismic upgrading; the other for potential success and marketing. Both were very positive.

I remember seeing plans of the building which showed the possible uses of each floor from Front Street up. These included a cafe on the second floor (the Eagles Floor) overlooking Columbia Street which could have been "franchised" and run by a company such as Starbucks, ( a missed rental and revenue generating opportunity). There were fund raising efforts, but in hindsight, the campaigns were perhaps done too soon. I believe that those monies were placed in the general accounts rather than a designated/reserved account.

In those early days and at the time of the initial explorations, the Front Street level was occupied by the Army and Navy Store which used it for storage of supplies. That area had also been used at different times by film companies.

The Raymond Burr Society and Raymond Burr's partner in the vineyard were very supportive in the first few years. I have often wondered what happened to them and their involvement. I've sometimes wondered if the people who served on the Burr Society's Boards ever took the time to learn anything about its history and its aims other than to present plays.

There is no doubt that the seasons of plays presented were very much appreciated and the theatre provided a much needed asset on the street. There is still that need especially as more people will be moving into the New Westminster's downtown core.

After about 3 years or so it was decided to form a registered society, The Burr Performing Arts Society. A small group of us worked on drawing up a constitution and by-laws for the society. When that was done, I removed myself from any further involvement.
  

Hilda Cliffe, Past President Arts Council

Note: for more information about the early development and fundraising efforts, click here to read an article in the Royal City Record.