Following a detailed due diligence process, the City of Burnaby has approved a one-time grant totaling up to $300,000 to the Burnaby School District. The grant will be allocated in 2026 and 2027, supporting ongoing public access to the Michael J. Fox Theatre as the Burnaby School District seeks sustainable solutions.
"Michael J. Fox Theatre has been a key cultural venue for both performers and audiences in the region," said Mayor Mike Hurley. "We are in unprecedented economic times, and this funding is a small yet significant way to ensure the doors to the theatre can remain open while other solutions are looked at by the school district.”
The theatre is owned by the school district and connected to Burnaby South Secondary School. It was operated by the Michael J Fox Theatre Society from 1993 to 2024 on behalf of the school district. With the departure of the Society, in 2024, the School District requested that the City explore a potential role in the theatre’s future.
After a comprehensive review, City staff determined that assuming a larger role would impose significant costs and long-term liabilities on taxpayers without proper ownership or control. The City’s review also found that the theatre requires more than $700,000 in capital upgrades, beyond ongoing operating costs.
Burnaby urges the school district to keep searching for sustainable ways to run the venue. The City suggests that partnering with a non-profit organization and/or community partners could offer a better model for managing the theatre and securing available funding from different government sources.
“The Michael J. Fox Theatre is a vital community asset that plays an important role in connecting and supporting arts and cultural communities across this region,” said Coun. Daniel Tetrault, Chair of the City's Parks, Recreation and Culture Committee. “We remain committed to supporting its continued success and ensuring Burnaby has spaces for dance, theatre, music and other cultural groups to share their creativity and enrich our community.”
The City of Burnaby continues to support arts and culture through investments in cultural infrastructure, including the soon-to-open professional theatre at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts. The City also provides local artists and organizations with performance opportunities, partnerships, and with grants and will continue collaborating with cultural groups to accommodate programming in City facilities where space permits.