Council allows Green Team to use Star Center when Opera House is unavailable, waives facility rental fee parity agreed

Havre de Grace City Council on April 21 approved an administration proposal giving the Havre de Grace Green Team discretionary access to the Star Center when scheduling conflicts prevent use of the Opera House. The motion included a council amendment: if the Green Team uses the Star Center instead of the Opera House, the Green Team will be charged cleaning fees equal to those the group pays at the Opera House.

Administration staff said the Opera House has become heavily booked, leaving the Green Team without a reliable screening venue for its free film series and events. Dr. Chris Ritchie, director of administration, told the council the requested authorization would allow staff to shift Green Team events to the Star Center (Black Box or theater) when necessary and still meet the technical needs for film projection and sound.

Councilmember Boyer proposed a friendly amendment to cap the group's cleaning charge at the Star Center to the same amount the group pays at the Opera House; the council adopted that amendment (4–1) and then approved the broader motion (5–0). Administration staff said technical and audiovisual support for screenings can be provided by the same staff that operates the Opera House. The council and Green Team representatives discussed that the Black Box seats about 70 people and that larger screenings could be accommodated in the Star Center theater when available.

The authorization is intended as an accommodation when scheduling conflicts arise; the Green Team remains responsible for any required fees besides the waived rental fee and will continue to pursue grants and donations to cover costs such as cleaning.