West End Cultural Centre facing ‘cash flow issue’

The West End Cultural Centre needs to raise $50,000 to help with a cash crunch its experiencing. Jeff Keele reports.

The West End Cultural Centre is looking for some help.

The non-profit organization that hosts live music events is hoping to raise $50,000 by the end of the year.

Jorge Requena Ramos, the centre’s executive and artistic director, said they’re going through some financial strain.

“At the moment we have a cash flow issue,” he said.

While he said the centre isn’t at a giant risk of closing the curtains for good, he noted they need the money to pay the bills, keep all the staff, and shows going.

“If we don’t get the money, we’re going to have to start looking at staffing changes in the facility first,” said Requena Ramos. “We’re going to have to start looking at presenting less events, we’re going to have to start looking at our community events being reduced.”

He said the centre has already cut its full-time staff from five to four positions a few months ago. It appears there are several factors leading to the cash crunch.

Requena Ramos said they are feeling the inflation pinch. He said fewer people are buying tickets to live events and people aren’t drinking as much.

“We have become sort of a lower priority on people’s wallets and, of course, we understand that,” said Requena Ramos.

He said while there are still several sold-out shows, social issues have also impacted their attendance.

“The people that were poor in the neighbourhood are poorer in the neighbourhood, and that also has created a feeling of uncertainty in coming to this neighbourhood,” said Requena Ramos.