Scotts Valley Community Theater Guild may go dark before the first player hits his mark under the blaring, new spotlight.
The Scotts Valley City Council this week gave thespians notice they had failed to meet contractual construction deadlines by Dec, 31, 2017. The unanimous action (with Councilman Randy Johnson absent) comes about four years after the council entered into a lease agreement with the guild.
“We’ve extended the lease multiple times,” said Mayor Jim Reed, adding the theater pays the city only $1 a year in rent. “We don’t have a problem of will. We have a problem of money.”
Indeed, the 9,080 square-foot, 230-seat theater— scheduled to open last fall — still needs to raise an estimated $500,000 to $700,000 to complete the project, according to City Manager Jenny Haruyama in a memo to the council.
If completed, the theater would serve as home for performers of Scotts Valley Performing Arts, who previously staged shows at Bethany College, which was sold and rebuilt into 1440 Multiversity.
The new theater can only be used for the operation of a community theater, according to the lease agreement.
The proposed theater, located at 251 Kings Village Road, occupies the south end of the Scotts Valley Library, or 13,150 square feet. The city purchased the building, which had formerly been a sports center and, before that, a roller rink. The new library opened in June 2011.
There was no shortage of community support for the theater on Feb. 21 when residents filled the council chambers, with late comers being forced to stand. For more than an hour, members of the theater board painted a rosy picture of the venue’s progress.
“I’m ready to start building in the next month,” said Ray Gorski, leader of a small army of construction volunteers. “I want to get it done.”
Board president Lee Besse said progress is not slow but, rather, exceedingly deliberate. “It’s a moving puzzle,” Besse said. “We are dancing very carefully. But we do see the finish line.”
But to council members, who unanimously support the endeavor without risk, it seemed they were hearing the same old song.
“I’m concerned that the money may not come and the city gets stuck,” said councilman Jack Dilles, referring to the theater board’s projections of renting the venue out 400 days a year. “I’d like to see a way to get some breathing room.”
As the meeting moved toward a stalemate, all eyes turned to Haruyama, who had outlined a possible work-around in her report to the council.
It might be possible, she said, to work with the Library Financial Authority bond counsel. This would effectively draw down money approved by taxpayers using Measure S, which passed in June 11, 2016, with two-thirds support of the vote.
Money from Measure S must be used solely for library improvements. In this case a heater and air conditioning system could be installed in return for limited library uses, such as classes.
“I think there is a possibility for a joint discussion,” said Susan Nemitz, Santa Cruz Director of Public Libraries, referring to the notion of flex space in the theater. “The fundamental difference is that the government has control (of the theater space).”
Though clearly not the preferable way to approach the non-profit theater project, guild members had little choice but to welcome the library in upcoming discussions.
“Sometimes your feet have to be put to the fire before big things happen,” said Robert Aldana, a local resident who operates the popular website My Scotts Valley.
The council unanimously voted for the guild and library to take the next 30 days to discuss how the community should move forward. Their decision will come before the council again at 6 p.m., Wed, March, 21 during a public hearing in the council chambers. The council stipulated that no construction work can be performed on the theater during that time.
