Postponed Arts, culture & heritage

Land for a performing arts centre / cinema

$30,000 to find Town land for a performing arts centre and cinema was moved from 2026 to 2027 in July 2025.

Amount
$30,000
Got
$0
Where it stands
To 2027. Moved by the Eaglecrest funding plan, Jul 2025.

What it is

This project would help find a piece of Town-owned land for a building for films and live shows. The idea comes from the volunteer Qualicum Beach Multi-Use Cinema Society. The Society wants the Town to set aside land so it can start raising money to build.

The $30,000 would pay a consultant to study possible sites and to consult the public. The 2025–2029 Financial Plan scheduled it for 2026.

On July 23, 2025, Council moved it from 2026 to 2027 as part of the Eaglecrest funding plan (Resolution 25-180, carried 4–1, Councillor Harrison opposed).

What happened

  1. January 18, 2023A councillor reports that the Cinema Society's feasibility study was finished and given to the Town.
  2. November 10, 2023Staff describe the project for 2024 strategic planning (item SI-10-24): $30,000 and about 150 staff hours. Staff suggest doing the work in 2028.
  3. 2025The 2025–2029 Financial Plan lists the $30,000 in 2026.
  4. July 23, 2025Council moves it from 2026 to 2027 as part of the Eaglecrest funding plan (4–1).
  5. October 24, 2025At a strategic planning meeting, a member of the public notes the cinema item was not in the presentation.
  6. April 1, 2026The 2026–2030 Financial Plan lists the $30,000 in 2027.
  7. June 29, 2026Councillor Young, Council's liaison to the Cinema Society, meets the group about possible future building sites.

Why it matters

  • In 2023, staff wrote that any suitable Town-owned site would mean moving an existing use or giving up other options.
  • Staff also noted that the Bus Garage site plan or a future move of the Public Works yard could free up a building site.
  • Councillor Young reported in June 2026 that the Society's film showings at the Legion are well attended.
  • The records we read do not say when the item moved from 2028, as staff suggested in 2023, to 2026.
  • The 2026–2030 Financial Plan says the Town borrowed $542,000 from the Strategic Initiatives Reserve for Eaglecrest, and expects to pay it back in 2027 and 2028 from Eaglecrest land sales. The plan also says work on 2027 and later initiatives depends on that repayment, and Council will set priorities at 2027 strategic planning.

Sources

Last checked September 18, 2026. Report a mistake.