The future of Westminster’s Rose Center Theater, a space utilized by performing arts organizations around Orange County, is up in the air as city leaders debate potential plans to restructure management or sell it off to a new owner.
It comes after a consultant told city leaders they’re losing money on the space since some facilities aren’t being utilized that often.
The city initially announced that it would not be renewing the lease of the theater’s current tenant, Friends of the Rose, in November 2025.
In December, the city granted the volunteer group a six-month lease extension in response to public backlash, and in January, council members spent $30,000 to appraise the space for future use.
The theater component of the center opened in 2006.
Since then, the space has been non-profit run and community-centered. However, city officials have expressed concerns about cost and vacancies in the space.
Theatre DNA, the group tasked with analyzing the space’s profitability, presented their findings to the council on Feb. 11. Ultimately, the investigation found that the primary reason for the space losing income is the outdated and seldom-used ballroom.
“The events center side seems to be lagging behind,” a Theatre DNA representative said at the meeting. “As with the Rose Center Theater, there was a wide range of community being used there.”
The analysis also suggests that the city’s contract with the current tenant could be rewritten to benefit the city more. However, Theatre DNA representatives recommend that space management responsibilities remain with Friends of the Rose.
Tim Nelson, director of Friends of the Rose, told the council during a recent study session that the nonprofit has contributed approximately $8 million towards theater upkeep. According to Nelson, this includes Theatre DNA’s recommendations for updates to sound and lighting equipment.
“For the past 20 years, we have contributed $400,000 in expenses annually in theater operational costs,” he said. “Renewing our contract preserves that benefit for the city.”
Nelson also pointed out that the group has paid in advance for all six months of the lease extension.
Others feel that a change in the space’s management may lead to uniquely profitable opportunities, for both the city and local communities.
For example, a partnership with the Westminster school district was brought up by district officials during public comment.
“We could bring in millions of dollars without taxes, without raising fees, and without losing your facilities,” David Johnston, a Westminster school district trustee, said during the meeting. “It’s not being sold to some developer. It’s going from the community, to the community.”
Johnston also pointed out that if the Rose Center were managed by a public body, such as the school district, the city could use the space as a cultural center for little to no extra charge.
Councilmember Carlos Manzo previously said he supported a long-term contract with Friends of the Rose in December 2025.
During February’s meeting, he continued to support potential public or nonprofit management of the space, rather than selling to private owners.
“For me, this is something that is more community-driven, community first, before profit,” Manzo said. “[A non-profit’s] first goal and mentality is serving the community before serving themselves.”
He went on to mention that he feels a potential partnership with the Westminster School District is something worth discussing in the future.
Other council members said they were less sold on the idea.
According to Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen, the council is not looking into discussing any potential partnerships at this time.
Nonetheless, the majority of the council agreed that the Rose Center deserves much-needed renovations to the ballroom and roof.
“I like [Theatre DNA]’s assessment,” said Councilmember Amy Phan West. “I ask to go forward and ask staff to do this RFP process.”
Officials discussed financial limitations of the city’s general fund and questioned who will be expected to shoulder the price of renovations.
“We don’t know if [a new operator] is going to take on the costs, or the city,” Manzo said.
