Features
Halifax Centre Box Office Debate
An independent audit of the city-owned Halifax Metro Centre in Nova Scotia reportedly found that the municipality could have made an additional $500,000 over six years if it hadn’t changed box office operations.
The Chronicle Herald reported Sept. 17 the audit conducted by accounting firm Grant Thornton LLP claimed Trade Centre Ltd., the company that has managed the facility since 1982, made an alleged undocumented takeover of the box office and turned it over to its subsidiary, Ticket Atlantic.
The decision was said to guarantee taxpayers a commission on ticket sales in lean years when Ticket Atlantic reported a loss, such as it did in 2008 and 2011.
However, the report pointed out that the city made $597,000 in box office revenue between 2006-07 and 2011-12 when Trade Centre Ltd. allegedly took in $1.7 million, according to the Herald.
The city collected 40 cents per dollar in ticket revenue from 2006 forward.
Auditors recommended that city officials closely monitor Metro Centre financial reports, be involved in budget discussions and be consulted regarding any of Trade Centre’s purchases or investments while considering other arrangements, the paper said.