Jersey Opera House should open as soon as possible without waiting for extra tech to come in, the Chief Minister has urged.
A government-funded £12.7 million refurbishment is coming to its conclusion, but Jersey Opera House Ltd, the company operating the venue, are appealing for a further £1.5 million for technical upgrades.
These upgrades, Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham and Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan claimed, aren’t essential and weren’t part of the refurbishment project.
Pictured: Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel showed media around the refurbished theatre last week.
Speaking in the States Assembly this week, Constable Jehan said: “I understand that shows could take place today on the stage, but I understand the aspirations for enhanced systems for lighting and for staging, which weren’t part of the project that was given to Property Holdings.”
Deputy Farnham added: “I do not agree that the Opera House cannot open without some extra technology.
“It can open. And they should get themselves open, there’s a big investment, and they should start putting shows on.”
But a statement from the Opera House claimed that, without the upgrades, the ability to stage shows would be “severely limited”.
It continued: “Modern staging and lighting equipment are essential for the Jersey Opera House to meet the standards of a mid-scale receiving theatre.”
Pictured: The Opera House recently underwent a major £12.7 million refurbishment. (Dave Ferguson)
Deputy Monty Tadier asked the Chief Minister if the island’s reputation would be damaged “when we refurbish an Opera House to the tune of £12 million, but we find that the Opera House can’t open because basic technical spend which we, as a scrutiny panel, advised the Department of almost a year ago is not spent and is not up to date”.
Deputy Farnham denied that Jersey’s reputation would suffer, adding that the Opera House was “a building that we can all be proud of”.
“There’s been a significant, almost £13 million investment, and undoubtedly this will serve the island and islanders well for many, many years,” he said.
“Yes, it has been identified that improvements can be made to the technology, but it can certainly open sooner rather than later.
“I would urge the board to get it open and start being in a position where islanders can enjoy it.”
Pictured: The Opera House could also host a bar or restaurant. (Dave Ferguson)
The Chief Minister added that he was “pleased” to see a fundraising campaign launched, and that the government would assist “where possible”. This would happen after the theatre opens, he said, and technology would be improved “in the months and years ahead”.
Despite the Opera House claiming they cannot open before the building is upgraded, Ministers have been optimistic that the date could even be brought forwards.
Last week, Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel showed himself hopeful that the venue could open ahead of the scheduled date in October.
The venue shouldn’t stay closed “as a fait accompli” on the basis of not having this technology, Deputy Farnham told the States Assembly, adding: “Get the theatre up and running and we’ll do whatever we can to get the extra technology in.”
SUPPORT…
Islanders who would like to find out more information on how to support the Opera House appeal can contact Andy Eagle at andrew.eagle@jerseyoperahouse.co.uk.