Photo: SOPAC

A sign going up at 99 Nanaimo in 2011 claiming the lot for an arts centre

Penticton city council made it clear Tuesday they want to see some significant progress from the South Okanagan Performing Arts Centre Society in the next 18 months.

Council voted to set aside the city-owned property at 99 Nanaimo Ave. until March 31, 2019 for an arts centre so the volunteer group can plan a symposium to get the project off the ground.

But in doing so, councillors voiced impatience for a years-old project that appears to be spinning its wheels.

Coun. Max Picton voiced concerns about tying up “a key piece of downtown property in perpetuity for something, that I haven’t yet seen forward progress.”

City manager Peter Weeber noted that there is nothing on the horizon for the property, so there is little risk in holding it for them for another 18 months. The city isn't currently marketing the property, but if the right developer approached the city, the promise council made to SOPAC is not binding.

SOPAC President Allan Markin said the society plans on holding a $50,000 symposium involving the top architects and theatre minds in the province in a about a year's time.

“We feel this symposium is absolutely an essential event at this time to set the direction for a cultural presence in the community and the downtown core,” he said, adding the event would be funded by grants and no city cash.

Markin was not able to offer a date for the event, saying they will need to work with the schedules of the attendees.

Councillors offered skepticism that the project has enough support in the community to justify what will be a mammoth investment for the city.

“If there is a future time when you come to speak, representing your group, I’m hoping that you can fill up these council chambers with people who are supportive of this project,” Coun. Helena Konanz told Markin. “I’m just not sure how many people are actually behind it.”

Coun. Andre Martin voted against holding the property for the society, saying the city hasn’t asked the greater community what it thinks.

“We haven’t gone to the public and said, ‘should this be an arts centre?’”

Coun. Campbell Watt cautioned the society against coming to the city for support in hosting the symposium next year, stating it would be a “red flag” if the group can’t come up with $50,000 for the event.