Prairie Theatre Exchange Dropped the Ball on Accessibility
Below is an article written by Carol Sanders, published in the Winnipeg Free Press, dated on Monday, October 25th regarding the newly renovated Prairie Theatre Exchange renovation without an accessible ticket wicket.
Theatre More Accessible, but not Box Office
WHEN theatregoer and wheelchair user Terry McIntosh heard the Prairie Theatre Exchange was getting $734,510 to modernize its facilities, she was thrilled.
But when the new ticket wickets opened out front recently, she was bewildered.
"I couldn't believe it. That is exactly the same booth as before," said McIntosh, who still can't reach the counter from her chair.
She works next door in Portage Place at the Independent Living Resource Centre and got a tour of the main floor of the theatre undergoing renovations.
In January, Manitoba's senior MP, Vic Toews and Heritage Minister James Moore announced $734,510 in funding for the Prairie Theatre Exchange from the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage. The money was for renovation and modernization of PTE's facilities, including its two theatres, rehearsal hall and drama studios, and to make them more accessible.
Cherry Karpyshin, general manager of the theatre, said the accessible wicket won't be added until next year when the second phase of renovations begins in spring.
Karpyshin said the theatre consulted the "PTE family" about its new design. No one had ever complained about the ticket counter, so it wasn't a priority.
"I haven't heard from anyone that the box office has been a challenge for anyone with mobility issues," Karpyshin said.
People with special needs don't often make a fuss -- especially when they're slowing down a lineup for something, McIntosh said. Getting tickets is embarrassing when you're sitting in a wheelchair and can't reach the counter, she said.
"It's humiliating because you're holding up traffic behind you," she said.
Karpyshin said getting rid of the ramp in the lobby that patrons were complaining about and tripping over was a priority. It's been replaced with a smooth, gently sloping floor.
"You have to make decisions that are a priority right now," Karpyshin said.
Architect Les Stechesen said the first phase of the project was running over budget, so they decided to add the accessible ticket window in the second phase next spring.
On Monday, McIntosh got a tour of the renovations on the main floor of the theatre. Without difficulty, she drove her mechanical chair over the lobby's sloping floor and into a new accessible washroom stall with a sink. The lobby's beverage counter is still too high, and there isn't room in the theatre for her to sit with two friends who also use wheelchairs, she said.
But that's not as big a deal to McIntosh as the new ticket counter being inaccessible. The first point of contact with the public should have included an accessible wicket, she said.
Karpyshin said the PTE was taken aback by the criticism from their neighbours. She said the theatre donates many tickets to the Independent Living Resource Centre.
There are a growing number of people with disabilities who work for a living and a growing number of seniors who have disposable income to go to the theatre, McIntosh said. Improving accessibility is not only good for image, it's good for business, she said.
The Winnipeg Art Gallery, the Manitoba Theatre Centre, the Centennial Concert Hall and a private venue such as the Grant Park Cinemas have accessible ticket counters.
"In this day and age, everything should be made accessible," McIntosh said.
Want to make a difference? Tired of always coming through the back door? What good are free tickets to inaccessible venues?
ILRC is considering a variety of strategies to promote and address this issue. Take a stand by contacting Natalie at 947-0194.