Performing Arts Centre governenance report confidential

A report of governance of the Burlington Performing Arts Centre, (BPAC) has been completed, but it's confidential.

Last year, council directed an independent governance review. They heard that BPAC, which is continuing its lease with the city on its facility at 440 Locust St., has struggled to keep board members.

Last November, Ward 6 councillor Angelo Bentivegna, who sits on the board, brought forward a motion to council that BPAC continue its lease with the city, but undergo an independent governance review. BPAC currently operates from the city-owned facility at 440 Locust St.

This week, council’s committee of the whole heard that BPAC’s board received Dr. Leblanc’s report on governance mid-January 2024. That report remains sealed to the public.

BPAC’s board told the committee that it recognizes and acknowledges that the recommendations contained in the report are aligned with best practices for a governance board and at its January meeting, unanimously adopted all of the recommendations in the report. 

The board, working with staff where appropriate, is committed to complete the implementation of all the recommendations – but what they are, isn’t known.

Also, in January the board had a public call for applicants to join the board with applications closing Feb. 16. But since then, they’ve extended the recruitment period.

“There was an excellent response and the recruitment process will continue during March. We value our partnership with the City as we work to deliver quality programming to our community,” wrote  Ken Smithard, BPAC board chair in correspondence to council members.

BPAC is significantly funded by taxpayers. The City provides funding each year, and the 2024 budget included an operating grant of $1,102,006 and a $63,200 capital contribution for BPAC.