The theatres aastra linked to are somewhat smaller than 1200 seats - most are 500 seats.

Too, US$30 million for a 500 seat theatre is about CAD$40 million.

It's obviously too simple to take as anything that could be called accurate, - but costing up from 500 seats at CAD$40 million to 1200 seats results in approximately CAD$120 million.

Back to my point though, which is $30 million is about 1/4 to 1/3 of what you actually need to build a 1200 seat legitimate theatre in 2020.

If you're talking "legitimate" theatre then you're talking green room, cast dressing rooms and washrooms, props storage, full lighting grid, professional acoustical treatment, a raked floor, concession stand and liquor bar...etc.

If you're talking "legitimate" theatre then you're talking green room, cast dressing rooms and washrooms, props storage, full lighting grid, professional acoustical treatment, a raked floor, concession stand and liquor bar...etc.

Exactly. No doubt you would need all that and a whole lot more for putting on full-blown plays, musicals, etc.... And you would need skilled people, too.

All true.

Without the facilities and equipment Rob noted, there's really no point in building a 1200 seat venue in the first place.

Without all of the facilities and equipment, you're really just building a 1200 seat arena.

As well, this kind of facility can't just be staffed with volunteers, the kinds of shows that tour into 1200 seat venues require professional stagehands, audio engineers, lighting designers, riggers, etc.

Big shows can often require 40 or 50 experienced stagehands.

At 1200 seats, you really don't have a choice about building a "legitimate theatre", as that size venue is by design exactly that ... a legitimate theatre complex.

Nobody on earth wants or needs a 1200 seat arena.

Press release from the museum:

MARITIME MUSEUM OF BC MOVES FORWARD WITH NEXT

PHASE OF THE PACIFIC MARITIME CENTRE

On February 25, 2020, the City of Langford and the Maritime Museum of BC entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the proposed construction of the Pacific Maritime Centre (PMC) that includes a new state-of-the-art Maritime Museum, office tower and conference centre that will be located at 790 McCallum Road.

The Maritime Museum of British Columbia is pleased to announce that Coldwell Banker Commercial Oceanside Real Estate has been hired to represent the Museum's interests in identifying tenants for the office tower within the PMC. The proposed leasing project consists of up to 90,000 sq. ft. of AAA office space that will consist of six 15,000 sq. ft. floor plates. The building is expected to provide a state-of-the-art air handling system, free onsite parking, and onsite daycare services.

The Mayor of Langford, Stew Young, stated that, "this project will create several new iconic attractions for the City and region, aligns with Council’s commitment to enhance arts and cultural opportunities in Langford, and supports Council’s vision to create more commercial office space so residents don’t have to commute outside the City for work. We are really excited about this project and look forward to moving forward with next steps.”

The overall project is on its way to becoming 'shovel-ready' and is expected to generate hundreds of short-term construction jobs and several new full and part-time jobs in the community. The proposed 80,000 sq. ft. Maritime Museum will house the entire artefact collection as well as a state-of-the-art immersive planetarium theatre and observational lighthouse designed sky-deck.

John Clarkson, Chairperson of the Maritime Museum of BC stated that, "this is a major step forward for the overall project. The Museum is looking for long-term lessees’ such as federal and provincial departments, crown corporations, educational institutions, NGO's or private professional corporations. The commercial realtor company is responsible for serving as the intermediary between the MMBC and perspective tenants."

Chris Troke and John Morris, from Coldwell Banker Commercial Oceanside Real Estate, are honoured to be involved in helping the Maritime Museum of BC complete their vision and look forward to working with them on this ambitious project. In the coming weeks, they will be looking for expressions of interest from government, NGO's and the business community regarding leasing opportunities. Interested parties are encouraged to reach out for more information.

David Leverton, Executive Director of the Maritime Museum of BC highlighted that, "the office tower is a strategically important part of the overall Pacific Maritime Centre project, as it will enable the project to be more financially sustainable and independent.”