As reported in the Courier last week, as well as in the corridors of chubby power that is Kudos & Kvetches, the city has approved an application to have the name of corporate sponsor West Coast Reduction (WCR) emblazoned on the newly renovated and reopened York Theatre. On a corner of the building, beneath the words “York Theatre,” the words “West Coast Reduction Stage” will appear in smaller print, which sadly won’t be in blood or chicken bone font.
According to the Courier, “The corporate signage recognizes the $2 million donation the animal rendering plant is giving to The Cultch for its satellite York Theatre on Commercial Drive at Venables. It’s the largest corporate donation the arts organization has received in its 41 years.”
In case you’re not in the know or haven’t had the olfactory pleasure of waiting for a bus on the corner of Hastings and Commercial, the nearby West Coast Reduction plant has a reputation for emitting a funky smell throughout the neighbourhood that you wouldn’t want to wear as a cologne. And while the company says it’s gone to great lengths to clear the air, so to speak, it would appear that nothing quite beats the sweet smell of cash.
Still, an animal rendering plant and a local theatre strikes us as a strange marriage, to say the least. But while we’re at it, how about other businesses inappropriately stepping up to the plate? The No. 5 Orange could sponsor a kids’ softball team. Canucks forward David Booth could put his name behind an animal hospital for cute critters wounded by errant crossbow arrows. And how about the Vancouver Courier ponying up some much-needed cash for Marpole’s underground cock-fighting circuit. The Courier Poultry Dojo of Doom has a nice ring to it, don’t you think.
