| Mecca's future uncertain
The Mecca may rise again, but there are a lot of unanswered questions that need to be addressed beforehand, says one of the facility's operators.
Soren Borch, part of Front Porch Productions, which has a contract to operate the music venue and barbecue restaurant that was destroyed by arson early Friday morning, says nearly everyone involved wants to rebuild the venue, but the logistics of such a resurrection will be difficult to work out.
"We're certainly hoping we will be able to rebuild... but it's going to take a lot of things coming together," Borch says. "We're having meetings, and we're going to take a look at all the options."
Before it was torched and destroyed, Mecca was one of the most beloved and unique venues for live roots music in the city. Located on the outskirts of western Calgary, the converted 50-year-old trailer attracted a dedicated core of musicians and patrons.
In one way, that uniqueness may help facilitate its return – there isn't a lot of capital cash necessary to rebuild the modestly sized venue back the way it was.
On the other hand, however, it's unique location may prove to be one of the biggest hurdles. It sits on provincially owned land that is earmarked for use as a major interchange at some point in the future.
Borch says lease requirements and property caveats require the provincial government give permission to Mecca's owners to rebuild before any construction takes place.
Further complicating matters is the circumstances of the facility's destruction. An arson investigation is still ongoing, and until that is completed, decisions about Mecca's future remain in limbo.
But Borch says he's remaining hopeful. He says he's grateful for all the support from the music community that has poured in since the fire.
"I've been shocked and extremely pleased from the number of calls from other promotors, musicians and people in the industry offering to help," he says. "There's a real community feel to it. It's really nice."
There are also plans to stage a fund-raising gig to benefit Mecca's employees who were left jobless by the fire.
Borch says the employees were as much a part of the community as Mecca’s musicians or owners, and everyone wants to help those who have been hurt by the fire.
"It's the musicians and the staff that are the ones who have really been hurt by this. Everyone else is covered by insurance," he says.
Organization of the benefit gig is being hurried together, and Borch says he hopes to have information soon about a date sometime in August.
"It may either a (rebuilding) kick-off celebration of a party marking our closure," he says. |
