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Home My WebLink AboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1996-10-09, Page 5Future of Wing Heritage Theatr Dear editor As a supporter of Wingham and area pto jeets 1 feel it is important to draw public attention to the plight of Wingham Town Hall Heritage Theatre. The first season of live concerts in the town hall began six years ago. The mandate of the founding board was a plan to rebuild Wingliarn's Heritage as an entertain- ment centre, that provid- -0 "ed opportunity and4evel- opulent for young Canadian talent The first four seasons in the theatre were pre - seated under the banner of Primetime Country and focussed - almost extlusively on the tradi- tional country music for- mat, During the last two seasons, under the.direc- tion of -theatre manager Cliff Edwards, the direc- tion hits shifted signifi- cantly. "The Town Hall , Heritage Theatre" is now being marketed "as a the- atre, not just for Wingharn, but for the extended coIiuHuiIIty as well. Concert themes have been broaderillig to take in more contempo- rary music styles and tastes, including folk, bluegrass, pop, gospel, maritiines music, and chit dr e n s enter- tain meat. Since the beginning, the level of community support for the theatre has been an on-going cunceril currently the theatre has an active, but unfortunately, limited number of local patrons. From the first season, the theatre has continually provided quality concerts at a reasonable price, but after six years of building the concept, the Old adage of "use it or lose it!" is upon the doorstep. While business rela— tions haVe developed' with several large tour groups and bus compa- ny's, to bring groups to the theatre, competition • . Luckno-4 Seutinet Wednesday, Ottuber 9,1996,- Page S m.s Town Hall 1 PROMOTIONAL ADVEnSING • is in jeopardy /4 4","a''' 4 mHiPl•44 c""P : 11 $11 is stiff and over the years consistent group business has been difficult to sus- tain. Over the last six years, the theatre has gratefully received sponsorship dollars from several community -minded cor- por a- t o us and retail- ers, but the on-going economic picture has been difficult and the needed grOwth in. vorporate support has not been realized. What the cominunity does not know is that during the last year, the board of directors, as well as several individu- als, have'personally guar- anteed the operating line of credit at the theatre. But ultimately, 24 well intentioned citizens can- not continue to early: this burden alone. For the theatre .to sur- viv and gro here must be sustained, reliable O. audience participation front Wingham as well as the surrounding villages and townships. The board, volunteers and the backers cannot do it alone,. Without additional funding and community involvement, the stage at the Heritage 'Theatre may soon go dark. While a crisis is loom- ing, the board and its vol- unteers have not given up. Plans are underway for a blitz of the town and surrounding commu- nities to determine if wider support for the Heritage Theatre is possi- ble. I personally feel the theatre is important to the connitunity and worth saving. 1 believe an aggressive fundraising. campaign Omni(' be.. launched, targeting • Wingham and surround- ing communities. There are many of us who want the theatre to survive.. Hopefully: More Will -express their feelings and .show their support over the next few weeks, • B b F • „ • , . • r ." . • - • • • ' +from 'page 2 0 accumulated over the yearS 'and now Will be used for the purpose for which it was raised. "We have the financial resources sitting in the bank doing nothing," he B uce Battalion 44-ded. •• Fundraising is tot a critical 'component in whether Or not we pro- ceed with the clinic," he .continued. "It is. a way to express support of .the process." George Underwood, vice chairman of the hos- pital. board, added his thoughts. "It has been a for clinic 10';‘ rid‘Ontario 'what will happen under restructuring, especially in light of district health cotmeit-stndies on the • future of health care cur- rently underway. "This is taxpayers' money" noted Steffler. "We just don't know what will happen," replied Board Chairman -Noreen Gna.y; Pleasure to have been The • subsequent involved in this (the clin- t* n to choose- the ic)," with all board mem- • Catherine Street site .onoreci bers focused • and think- passed unanimously, as in g alike. He said his did a motion10 demolish • a ur . goal ,istO the clinic the former hospital clinic 0 ilk This Saturday Oct. 12, assotin poSSible. • building and training . 60th - 'Bruce ; Verna Steffler asked centre.' . • Battalion will be COM-: • • inemorated • at the Bruce County Museum and • Archives. in SOuthatriP-: • ton,. 80 Year/after departed for Service • overseas in the Great • War. . The ceremony begins at 1:30 p.m., followed by a reception and auto- graphing of the new book. Visitors may also • tour the Museum's miIi tary gallery, which fea- tures artifacts, pho- -- tographs and documents detailing the military contributions of Bruce County, including the 160th battalion.- The bat- talion's colors are on dis- play there. Admission to the connnemoration event is • free. • On Nov. 6, Grade 9 students, at F.E. Madill Secondary School, will be going to work, It's part of the Take Our Kids to Work program that directly links classroom learning to real world experience. Students learn first hand the importance of educa- tion in getting a good job and see the realities and demands of the workplace. Students who are unable to go to work with a parent, relative, neighbor or friend can be matched with volunteer hosts from participating workplaces. If you are interested in being involved in this • program call Jim Inwood at Madill - 3574135. - Take Our Kids to Work is a Canada wide pro- gram and locally supported by The Learning Partnership and the Huron County Public School Board. • ;Quiet( :Pact Most Ontario -gown cab- bage is sold'fresh, about 20 per cent is for pro-, cessing.- Pens&Stuff IUMW %KOG WU kw Gus** + 26% Off on invitations siel • co wow ite*• &Worn Paisior.*** 0104 Cs" CAW** Amor I Cowan Printing & Advertising Lucknowt Ont L(519) 528-2730. Fax: (519) 5284348 OMMW NOW MONO OWN AMMO NM =IP OW WM MOW • CC 0 7.= a) (7) ri 0 0 0 0 Paint a Chair • Sponse A Wall BgNJAMIN MOOFIE INVITES YOU TO e taire4 STROKEa BRILLIANCE • .. . . PAINTING SEMINAR , As Seen Ori CityLine Home Day This is your opportunity to discover thorade secrets • of a eenjamin`Motire design and colour expert first r hand. 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