Despite coming within sight of their fundraising goals, the Bracebridge Arts Council (BAC) has been forced to ask for a loan extension from the town of Bracebridge. BAC originally received $2.4 million from the town for the construction of the Rene M. Caisse Memorial Theatre, and was within $100,000 of repaying the money.

In a letter to Bracebridge mayor and council, BAC co-chair Paul Arril said the anticipated cost of the theatre has now risen to $2.7 million. As a result, BAC will no longer be able to pay off the entire debt by the original deadline of the end of 2008.

“There have been a number of unexpected construction expenses that we could not foresee, and this is an area of concern for us,” said Arril. “We would like to request . . . a review of our repayment schedule to the town, with perhaps an extension of the timelines, in order to allow us sufficient time to stabilize our operational budget and absorb the additional construction costs.”

On Monday, Arril said he met with Bracebridge CAO John Sisson and treasurer Andy Nelan to discuss the extension of the loan.

Arril said the numbers are not complete as to how much BAC now owes the town, but it will be more than the original $2.4 million.

“Later on in the process we had a few architectural changes . . . and we had to retrofit a few things,” he said. “It isn’t a case where we said ‘we want this and we want that’ and suddenly added a bunch of expensive add-ons.”

Arril said BAC is now targeting a repayment date at the end of 2011.

Sisson said the arts council has been working closely with the town, and Nelan has been asked to prepare a report for Bracebridge’s administration and finance committee outlining the potential amendments to the loan agreement.

Arril also said BAC recently held its annual general meeting, and welcomed several members to the board of directors, including former Bracebridge mayor Scott Northmore.

The fundraising team has also been revamped, said Arril, and will focus on approaching larger donors, while continuing initiatives such as the seat sale, which is now half completed.

Arril said the nature of the theatre itself is also changing to some extent.

“We want to become a producing theatre. A place where we aren’t just bringing in outside talent, but we’re producing new original works from local playwrights,” he said.

As an example, Arril cited the work of local artist Amy Bridle, who is currently working on a one-woman show depicting the life of the theatre’s namesake, Rene Caisse.

Arril said the arts council has recruited and trained more than 100 backstage and front of house volunteers since the grand opening on Sept. 21. It has also instituted a computerized ticket system and recently secured a FedNor grant for an intern to assist the theatre manager.

BAC is grateful to both the town and the Trillium Lakelands District School Board for coming onside with such a unique project, he said.

“The success of the theatre and the entire complex has not gone unnoticed and a number of other communities, including the city of Barrie, have come to Bracebridge to observe this model of innovative partnership,” said Arril.