Beau-Site La Chaux-de-Fonds Renovation – 4 Million Francs
Chaux-de-Fonds Approves Funding for Beau-Site Renovation, Debates Rent Increase for Popular Romand Theater
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Published September 4, 2024
Renovation Project Details
The municipal council of Chaux-de-Fonds has approved 1.5 million Swiss francs for the renovation of Beau-Site, the building housing the popular Romand Theater (TPR). The planned work, scheduled for 2026, will address damage from the 2023 storms and modernize the building’s exterior, as well as improve accessibility. Council members acknowledged a tight timeline for the project.
If opposition delays the Beau-Site renovation, the work will be postponed until after the completion of the Chaux-de-Fonds Capital Cultural project (LCDF27).
Rent Increase Controversy
A key point of contention during the council meeting was the increase in rent for the TPR following the renovations. The right-leaning parties (PLR,Center,and UDC) initially advocated for passing the full 36,000 franc increase onto the TPR,arguing against what they termed an “indirect subsidy” from the city,which owns the building. PLR representative Cédric Haldimann suggested the increase could be offset by a small increase in ticket prices.
Amendment Passes, Lowering Rent Hike
Ultimately, an amendment proposed by the pop party (co-signed by several PS elected officials) prevailed. The TPR’s rental bill will increase by 18,000 francs,bringing the total annual rent to 68,000 francs.This figure differs from an earlier proposal of 24,000 francs presented in the municipal council’s report,a discrepancy that Lara Zender of the pop party criticized as problematic.
Questions raised About TPR’s Accessibility and Funding
The PLR also questioned the number of tickets sold annually by the TPR, without receiving specific figures. This line of inquiry suggests a potential future debate regarding the theater’s accessibility and whether it caters to an elite audience. The TPR currently receives an annual municipal subsidy of 1.14 million francs.
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