A tough negotiation with the city arts council resulted in the City of Maple Ridge taking over operation of its community theatre for the first time since its inception almost a quarter century ago.
Mayor Dan Ruimy made the announcement on Sept. 8, which drew the ire of many in the arts community.
The ACT Arts Centre had been run by the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Arts Council for 22 years, since the facility was built in 2003 as a community hub for performances, galleries, and community arts programs.
The city wasa set to take over programming at The ACT effective Jan. 1, after almost a year and a half of failed discussions with the arts council over a new operating agreement.
Mayor Dan Ruimy said it was a tough decision, but the city made a final offer that was rejected by the arts non-profit, and he felt that left the city little choice. The previous operating agreement had expired at the end of 2023.
It was an unpopular decision with those who support the arts council.
The arts council said they are “shocked” when the city decided to end a 22-year partnership, “without the benefit of an independent assessment for the best long-term, sustainable model and without public disclosure or input.”
“We remain deeply disappointed that the city would end a decades-long relationship without engaging in meaningful discussion with us and with a third-party consultant to address the real challenges facing arts centres across Canada,” continued the arts council, noting it is proud of the leadership and value it had delivered to the community during more than two decades.
They said they managed The ACT within an annual operating budget of approximately $2.5 million, with less than 30 per cent of that money coming from city contributions.
Mayor Dan Ruimy noted the city did hire consultant Patricia Huntsman to do an arts, culture, event, and heritage review, and council saw her 37-page report in November.
“With an uncertain economic and political landscape impacting cultural sovereignty policy and funding from other levels of government, the city’s move to bring cultural development more in-house during the next five years is both prudent and strategic for the sustainability of arts and culture in Maple Ridge,” she wrote.
Ruimy said the report showed him that the city wasn’t meeting its potential in this area.
“We should be regional leaders for arts and culture for a city our size, and we’re not,” said Ruimy. “This allows us to actually expand our programming here, and at the Albion Community Centre.”
Ruimy noted the city recently brought fitness and recreation programs “in-house,” and the number of cancelled classes dropped. City revenues have increased from programs, and they are providing more recreation services, he noted, anticipating similar changes in arts and culture programs.
He said the city gave $750,000 minimum to the arts council for The ACT every year, and that will now be used by the city. Other revenues, like ticket sales, will also go to the city.
“It allows us to expand even more,” said Ruimy.
The mayor wanted to keep the arts council operating The ACT.
“This wasn’t our choice, we didn’t want to do this. But we were negotiating over 15 months,” said Ruimy.
The city gave the society 45 days to sign the final offer. Ruimy personally met with their executive to try and convince them to take the deal. They chose not to. Details of the offer have not been made public.
He is looking at 2026 as a transition year, and the city will try to bring more community groups into the space.
“The ACT is a fabulous building – how do we maximize it?” said Ruimy. ”If that thing is not going seven days a week, then we’re not maximizing the opportunities there.”
He said the society employees were offered jobs.
“Our first step right now is to make this transition as smooth as possible,” he said.
“We reached out to all the staff, and I believe most of them have agreed to come on board with us.”
Meanwhile, the arts council has been rebranded to Arts On Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows.
Executive director Curtis Pendleton said Arts On has asked for some facility rental dates for programming in 2026/27, and the city has told them that they will address community use after January. Arts On will be looking at multiple venues and partnerships throughout Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, moving forward.
She described Arts On as having a reduced, but more focussed scope of programming for learning activities, community events, and performances, which they will announce as they are confirmed.
“We think there is an opportunity for more arts programming outside of The ACT, and we will be able to navigate any possible programming conflicts once the CoMR (City of Maple Ridge) announces what their plan/vision is for The ACT programming, and as it pertains to community users, such as Arts On,” she said.