Council will debate the next step in the sale of the historic theatre next month. (CHAT News File Photo)

By Brian Konrad

Previous agreement to buy historic theatre failed

City back to asking for proposals for future of Monarch Theatre

Oct 26, 2022 | 12:57 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — The future story of the Monarch Theatre has taken another plot twist.

After inheriting the historic theatre from the previous council, the current council asked for expressions of interest from the community and then moved to the more formal request for proposals.

It was thought a deal was pending out of that, but public services chair Coun. Ramona Robins says it didn’t materialize, so her committee is now recommending council go back and ask for additional requests for proposals for the Monarch.

“There were a lot of people interested in the Monarch and what they could do there, and the question really is how much support do you need from the city and how much of that support was city council willing to offer,” says Robins.

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Robins says they thought they had a pact but as often happens there were some roadblocks, so the committee decided to turn around and go back to the beginning with another request for proposals.

“Thankfully we had those people who were interested in the Monarch to begin with whom I’m hoping will send in something in the RFP process because there was a lot of creativity and a lot of passion for the Monarch and it’s a building people really care a lot about,” adds Robins.

The previous council purchased the Monarch in June of last year, when the City Centre Development Agency dissolved .

Council will debate the matter at its meeting on Nov. 7.