The decision to move the Music Theatre of Louisville summer productions from the Iroquois Ampitheater downtown was made in December. But now that summer’s here, some politicians have started noticing and want to do something about it.

South End Metro Council members like Dan Johnson aren’t happy that the beautiful structure,which the city spent $8.9 million to refurbish six years ago, is basically not being used this summer, except for a handful of events and some city-sponsored movie nights.

MTL moved out for one reason – money.  Peter Holloway, MTL’s Artistic Director, said everyone loves the venue, but that this year the Metro Parks department wanted 50% to 200% more than it charged last year to use the facility. So Holloway took his Summer Series of four musicals to the Bomhard Theater, even though shows have been presented in the South End for 27 years.

“It was more important for us to keep the mission going and hope we can work something out for Iroquois next year,” Holloway said.

Now the Mayor, the Metro Council and MTL are trying to work out a new deal for next year. Holloway said he has presented a plan that would include several additional arts groups performing at Iroquois, but would require a $350,000 investment. Nobody’s got that kind of money in their budget, especially for the Arts.

Johnson took it as another opportunity to criticize City Hall, and told WHAS-TV  “It’s ridiculous and just goes to show that the South End’s forgotten once again by the administration.”

The reality is that it’s just another effect of citywide belt-tightening. Metro Parks had to cancel a management contract for Iroquois this year, and spokesman Jason Cissell said the city tried to work something out, including offering to allow MTL to run the facility. But Holloway said his group couldn’t take on that responsibility.

Holloway said the plan he presented to Metro Council members is a work-in-progress, and acknowledges that getting any new funding from government is a long shot.