The Town of Jasper could have a 250-seat performing arts centre and a 1,200 convention centre, according to a new report.

The town began exploring the feasibility of a cultural centre in 2004, and that work has culminated in a new report released Tuesday, Oct. 20.

That study examines the feasibility of constructing a performing arts centre, a convention centre and a parks visitor information centre. The report breaks down the cost of building each by itself, and then the construction of hybrids of the building.

Michael Roma of RC strategies presented his findings to council. He presented five different scenarios to council , and while he mentioned without an actual site, they are difficult to cost out, he said he was confident in the conservative estimates of each.

The top recommendation, which includes the 250-seat theatre and conference centre, would cost $15.1 million in capital costs, plus another $448,000 a year in operating expenses. It would include the theatre, sound and lighting booths, dressing rooms, a ballroom, program rooms, administrative space and other theatre needs such as a foyer, loading area and storage.

According to the report, the complex would increase Jasper’s gross domestic product by more than $14.7 million, increase labour income by nearly $10 million and increase employment by 139 jobs during construction.

After completion, the facility would create 24 jobs and increase labour income by $759,110. The formula is calculated using the Alberta Economic multiplier.

Despite the costs, Roma said another option is still available.

“If a high school site becomes an option, it wouldn’t necessarily be the best but it would have to be weighed out,” Roma said. “But right now, we can’t tell if that’s an option.”

The town should also examine connecting the proposed facility to the activity centre, the report suggests, in order to save capital costs.

The building would have to be placed in a high traffic area for it to remain successful, he said. 

In order to pay for the building, the town should expect to receive 15 per cent funding from fund raising and grants, and deficits run by the facility would be the responsibility of the municipality.

The feasibility of including a visitor centre in the building was also explored. 

“If Parks Canada goes into the tourist expansion market, it can only do so by piggy backing on a theatre facility,” Roma said. 

When asked about the seat capacity of 250, Roma said it was the lowest capacity for getting full time professional artists into the building.

“It’s the critical mass needed to host event. You’re not going to get another level of performer until you get to a 2,000 seat arena. It was the most efficient way to achieve what you want to achieve,” Roma said.

Mayor Richard Ireland was concerned if the entire project is feasible, and if conferences were still going to exist in the future.

“What is feasible in Jasper as a concept? Is it feasible to build in a market where we can’t attract conferences,” he asked.

Roma said there are about 3,800 conferences in Canada each year, and that Jasper does attract many with its capacity to host 800 person conferences.

Coun. Rico Damota asked if building a green conference centre would make a difference.

“It’s a trend, it’s a buzz word, but it probably only affects conferences that deal with that subject matter,” Roma said.