The province is expressing concerns with Keyano College’s art centre.

Minister of Advanced Education Demetrios Nicolaides reached out to the school’s Board of Governors in February.

During conversations, he expressed issues over the financial viability of the project and the struggles Keyano already faces with their theatre.

According to the province, the facility costs around $2 million annually.

The $16.8 million project was approved by Wood Buffalo council during the 2020 budget deliberations.

President and CEO Trent Keough has continued to defend the project saying it will support the local arts.

“Artists are devoted to the craft and they need to be respected for that and we need to support them.”

In a statement sent to Mix News, the school says work has currently stopped on the centre due to the COVID-19 situation and economic circumstances.

They plan on reviewing the project once the situation dies down.