Michael J Fox Theatre gets $400,000 grant to stay open through July 2027

The City of Burnaby has approved a one-time grant of $400,000 to keep the Michael J Fox Theatre open to the public for another year while the Burnaby School District seeks a new theatre operator.

The funding begins in July, when the theatre was originally scheduled to close to the public. The decision came after community advocacy and collaboration between city and school board leadership.

"City Council is pleased to provide this one-time grant as a sustainable way to give the Burnaby School District the required time to find an appropriate non-profit provider to operate the Michael J Fox Theatre for the benefit of the community," said Mayor Mike Hurley. "We look forward to a new operating model for the theatre and a successful future."

Kristin Schnider, Burnaby Board of Education Chair, acknowledged the community response. "To our community who rallied so strongly around the Michael J Fox Theatre, we heard you and we thank you," she said. "We're deeply appreciative of the Mayor and City Council for their generous efforts to collaborate with the Board of Education. Together, we found a path forward that keeps the theatre open to the public. The performing arts play a vital role in bringing people together and strengthening community."

In May, the School District had announced June 30 as the final day for community access after rejecting an earlier $150,000 offer. The new arrangement keeps the theatre operating through July 2027 as officials search for a suitable operator. When it opened in 1993, the Michael J Fox Theatre was operated by an independent non-profit society. If a suitable operator is found, a licensing agreement with the non-profit would provide a long-term solution.