Community groups in Burnaby could lose access to the Michael J. Fox Theatre as the school district, the current owner, says it can no longer afford to keep it open for community use.

Now, union workers and artists warn that the impact could be significant if the theatre closes and push for the city to step in and explore solutions.

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The Burnaby School District says it will end community bookings at the theatre after June 30, citing ongoing financial pressures.

“I think people were shocked,” said Damian Petti, vice president at the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) union.

He says that 11 stage technicians recently received termination notices because of the change.

“Those technicians had just been certified to be represented by the union, so the timing is not ideal.”

He adds that workers are critical to keeping the venue running.

Beyond the job losses, Petti says that the impact will ripple across the local arts community.

The theatre is booked more than 200 nights a year and provides space for a wide range of performances.

“It has an amazing track record of supporting up-and-coming performers, dancers, musicians. Concerts are booked there on the regular.”

The district, which currently operates the venue, says it can no longer absorb the cost of keeping it open to the public.

Kristin Schnider, the district’s board chair, says that the theatre runs at an annual deficit of more than $150,000.

“With us being the sole operator, we have to dedicate our own staff time, which is not included in the theatre books,” she told CityNews.

The district explains that it is working with the City of Burnaby to explore possible options for the theatre’s future, including alternative management models that could preserve some level of community access.

“We started those conversations in January 2025 with the full understanding that the Burnaby School District would have to get out of running the theatre because our priorities really have to be on K-12 education,” Schnider added.

Petti agrees that more needs to be done, and he is urging the city to step in.

A petition to save the theatre has already gathered more than a thousand signatures.

“I think the community is a little bit outraged that this could happen,” he said.

Burnaby City Council has voted to look into whether it could take on a role in supporting or operating the theatre, but no decisions have been made as officials await the results of a feasibility review.

“I’ll be really sad to see it go, but there’s a chance to do the right thing here,” Petti said.

CityNews has reached out to the city for comment, but did not hear back in time for broadcast.