Arts venue laying off staff temporarily

An arts and theatrefacilityin Charlottetown, known as the Guild, is temporarily laying off most of its staff.

Five full-time employees will receive lay-off notices effective Saturday, and the hours of theexecutive directorare also being cut in half, according to the theatre's website.

Debt carry-over from previous years, less than projected summer season revenue in the theatre, and mounting costs to maintain the aging facility have caused financial issues, the board said on the website.

The board says there are fewer operating dollars to get through the leaner winter months.

The lay-offs will not have an impact on December shows at the performance hall, as staff agreed to be called back for that period.

The layoffs will likely be in place into March.

The financial details will be released at a public information session at the Guild on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. The board will also be looking for ideas on how to solve their financial problem.