A scene from Vancouver Opera's production of "Nixon in China"
Vancouver Opera's new headquarters in East Vancouver will be named The Michael & Inna O'Brian Centre for Vancouver Opera, following a $1-million donation from the O'Brians, well-known local arts philanthropists.
The money will help pay for renovations and adaptations to the new facility, where the company's administrative offices, ticket centre, costume and properties shops and set storage have been amalgamated.
Staging and orchestra rehearsals will take place there, as well. The company has moved to the new centre this summer from several spaces in the city.
VO General Director James W. Wright said the initial upgrade and move to the new 2800 square metre centre will likely cost more than $300,000, but will save VO at least $200,000 annually in rental costs.
He says the main reason for the move, though, is to create an all-inclusive space that will serve the company in ways beyond the bottom line.
"It's the synergy that it provides," he said on Tuesday, move-in day for administrative staff. "We've been wanting to do this since I've been here."
Once a Lululemon outlet in the city's Commercial Drive neighbourhood, the O'Brian Centre's music library, rehearsal facilities and meeting space will eventually be made available to local arts groups as well.
Marsha Lederman