Save the Mile End Cultural Center!

We have been informed by the City of Montreal that our existing “Salle De Reunion” permit for the Main Hall does not allow for the usage of “Spectacles” and or ticketed concerts events. As of immediately, we have been told to cease all events for such usages. We must adhere to the city’s request otherwise we will face a review, and possibly a cancellation of our liquor permit by the Régie des Alcools, des courses et Jeux.

To be an affordable arts venue for Mile End and Montreal artists of all disciplines, our Centre relies on beverage sales revenues from music events. With the cancellation of events over the summer Mile End Cultural Centre’s survival is in jeopardy.

Since 2004, The Mile End Cultural Centre has been working to achieve a new permit status as a “Salle De Spectacles”. The new designation can only be granted by the City of Montreal Plateau Mont Royal permits department. Everything with our application seemed to be in order and we believed the venue would attain the new permit this summer. But as of late May, the Police and City representatives began receiving complaints about noise leakage from the venue. The management of the Mile End Cultural Centre has immediately begun working with acoustic engineers on this problem. We are confident that sound insulation technologies available will correct any noise leakage issues. Up until the last week of May, in more than three years of operation we have received only isolated incidents of noise complaints, caused by a door being left open temporarily.

Unfortunately, the recent opposition to our request for the Salle de Spectacle permit by principally one local resident is causing our existence as a cultural centre to be called into question. We believe, as the issues regarding noise leakage have come only in last month, we should be allowed some weeks to correct the problem.

We wish to continue our positive discourse with the Borough permits department as they are key allies for us in resolving the matter. We also do not want to aggravate any residents so we are pushing to be as compliant as possible to any residential concerns. But some damage to file has been done. Thus we have to demonstrate the importance and beneficial aspects of our cultural centre to the neighborhood. You can help!