HB13.6
STAFF REPORT
ACTION REQUIRED
Sony Centre for the Performing Arts – Capital Projects
with Federal Grant Opportunities
Date:
June 16, 2016
To:
Finance Audit and Risk Management Committee,
The Board of Directors of the Hummingbird (Sony) Centre for
the Performing Arts
From:
Wards:
Director of Operations, Sony Centre for the Performing Arts
All
Reason for
Confidential
Information:
Reference
Number:
SUMMARY
The purpose of this report is to present to the Board a summary of Capital
Projects with Federal Grant Opportunities for approval.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The Director of Operations recommends that the Board of Directors of the
Hummingbird (Sony) Centre for the Performing Arts approve the following capital
projects and all related purchase orders and/or tender awards:
1. Porte-Cochere Lighting Restoration and Roof Replacement Project in the
amount of $1.772M; and
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2. Lighting for the Seven Lively Arts Mural with Lobby Lighting Support
Enhancement Project in the amount of $.300M.
Financial Impact
There are no financial impacts other than those outlined in this report.
ISSUE BACKGROUND
The Sony Centre has a unique opportunity to make enhancements to the facility,
those being the porte-cochere lighting and roof, the interior lighting enhancement
for the Seven Lively Arts mural and the lobby support lighting. The opportunity
arises out of a sudden announcement of increased funds to the Canada Cultural
Spaces Fund. Due to the fast approaching deadlines, quick action will be
required to take full advantage of this opportunity.
PROJECTS:
A. Porte-Cochere Lighting Restoration and Roof Replacement, with Façade
Lighting Enhancements
Overview
The Sony Centre wishes to restore the lighting to its original heritage design. In
the early 1980’s the Centre’s original porte-cochere was modified to its current
look and has had little upkeep or improvements since. The 2015 Building
Condition Assessment report recommended a replacement of the porte-cochere
lighting. This project was deferred to provide urgent funding for the Centre’s
stage rigging system.
The 2015 Building Condition Assessment recommended a replacement of the
porte-cochere’s roof as it was original to the building and in need of attention.
The façade currently has no illumination leaving it and the immediate area
lacking in depth and vibrancy. The Sony Centre wishes to restore the lighting to
the heritage façade. To assist with the funding, the Canada Cultural Spaces
Fund announced additional granting funds would be made available to the
cultural community. Priority would be given to projects with committed matching
funds and able to achieve completion before March 31, 2017.
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Details
Port Cochere:
 Refurbishment of the porte-cochere to the original 1960 heritage design
 Reduction of the Centre’s carbon footprint and operating costs by
replacing hundreds of traditional light bulbs with environmentally friendly
LED lighting fixtures, while maintaining the original appearance of the
1960’s design.
 As an added enhancement for shows, events and special City wide
celebrations, the new LEDs will have the ability to change colours to
match venue, City and community wide events or celebrations.
Façade Lighting
 Re-installation of lighting of the front façade to highlight the heritage
architecture and bring to life an otherwise blank surface. The new lighting
would illuminate the top two surfaces of the north façades.
 This will be LED lighting and have the ability to change colours to match
venue, City and community wide events or celebrations.
Roof
 The 2015 Building Condition Assessment Report recommended
immediate replacement, as it is original to the building.

The proposed roof for this type of structure is called a “Cool Roof”, the
most suitable eco-roof for this type of structure.
Funding
The total budget for this project will be $1.772M. The Sony Centre is applying
(pending Board approval) for a grant through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund
in the amount of $.661M to partially fund this project.
Due in part to an economy of scale achieved by combining two capital projects,
the East Side Restoration and Building Envelope Projects Phase 1 tender results
came in under budget. Sufficient funds remain in the budget to be reallocated to
this project in the amount of $.661M. The Sony Centre is also in discussions with
the local Councillor in seeking Section 37 funds in the amount of $.450M to
provide the remaining funds for the project.
B. Seven Lively Arts Mural Lighting and Lobby Support Enhancements
Overview:
In 1957 ironic Canadian mural artist York Wilson was commissioned to paint the
mural, “The Seven Lively Arts” for the O’Keefe Centre’s main lobby. Measuring
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15’x100’ this is the largest mural in Canada and continues to hold a featured position
in the lobby of the Sony Centre. Unfortunately, this piece of priceless art, which
makes up part of the heritage designation of the Sony Centre, is often overlooked due
to the poor quality lighting illuminating this painting.
Details
Mural and Lobby Lighting
 Lighting will be LED to lower the Sony Centre’s operating costs.
 The new lighting will be environmentally friendly.
 The new lobby lighting will increase the general illumination to meet AODA
standards which were pointed out as deficient in the 2015 Building
Condition Assessment report.
Lobby Support Infrastructure
 The infrastructure will house audio, lighting and video controls for the
lobby.
 It will greatly reduce labour costs for the Centre and its clients by
eliminating the need for portable equipment to be set up and removed for
each corporate, community and outreach events occurring in the lobby.
 Infrastructure control will be permanently housed in a small portion of the
former Sony Store.
Funding
The total budget for this project will be approximately $300,000.
As part of Canada’s 150 anniversary celebrations, the federal government has created
the “Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Programs,” which, among other criteria,
seeks to fund projects which highlights significant cultural aspects of Canada’s 150
years of history. The Sony Centre proposes to apply to the Canada 150 Community
Infrastructure Program for $50 000 in funding for lighting enhancements to the Seven
Lively Arts mural.
In conjunction with the Canada 150 grant, a second Cultural Spaces grant will be
applied for this project in the amount of $75,000
The Sony Centre will contribute $175 000 from its Facility Fee Reserve Fund
(FFRF) to this project.
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Funding Summary:
Costs:
Project 1 - Porte Cochere
Project 2 - Lighting
Total costs
$
$
$
1,772,000.00
300,000.00
2,072,000.00
Funding:
SOGR realigned
FFRF
S37
Can 150
CCSF 1
CCSF 2
Total Funding
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
661,000.00
175,000.00
450,000.00
50,000.00
661,000.00
75,000.00
2,072,000.00
CONTACT
Matt Farrell
Director Operations
T: 416-368-6161
matt@sonycentre.ca
SIGNATURE
______________________
Matt Farrell
Director of Operations
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