The Brussels Post, 1978-07-05, Page 1325 CENTS
-All proceeds from
sale to support
the theatre.
Theatre addition
is planned
At the beginning of its fourth theatre season, the Blyth Centre
for the Arts (BCFA) which sponspors the Blyth Summer Festival
has launched an ambitious renovations program. Total cost is
estimated at $211,000 and the first crucial element, air
conditioning, will be installed this summer at a cost of $35,000.
Safety and much needed back stage space are two of the prime
aims of renovations. Based on a study by Goderich architects Hill
and Borgal, the renovations will bring the existing hall up to
building code standards and provide backstage production space
with a small addition on the theatre's north side.
Facilities to allow the handicapped access to Blyth's Memorial
Hall have been included in the renovation plans. The hall, built
as a memorial, to those from. Blyth and area who served in the
First World War, is owned by the village of Blyth and the
municiapal council has given its blessing to the renovations.
The board of the BCFA has agreed to approach the
renovations to the hall in several stages. Along with the air
conditioning which is being installed as this season's plays are in
rehearsal, meeting fire and safety standards has first priority.
The addition, which will provide dressing rooms (an unheard
of luxury for theatre company members over three seasons arid
again-tills-yaw%) will be tackled once the first phase is completed.
A third phase to the renovations includes jobs which will be
tackled over a longer period of time. Donations to the theatre's
renovation program are tax deductible and can be left with the
Blyth Summer Festival box office.
Below is a detailed description, taken from the 'architects'
study, of the three phases of the Memorial Hall renovation plan.
Sketches from the Hill and Borgal plan appear on inside pages of
the Summer Festival issue. -
The following is a list of the requirements necessary to make
the building safe, recommended by the engineer. a) basement,
stage and backstage wet-pipe 'sprinkler systems b) fire exhausts
over stage area equivalent to 1/8th the area of the stage and
equipped to open automatically in case of a fire c) an unfaramed
asbestos fire curtain at proscenium to be closed automatically in
the event of a fire d) a zoned class 4 building alarm complete with
fire sensors at selected areas-including attic area e) various fire
rated doors to be installed at exit areas f) fire separation of
basement from main floor (2 HR) g) emergency lighting system in
the form 'of self-contained units at various exit locations.
Immediate requirement for the production of plays are: a) a
workroom/storage area at stage level with an area equal to at
least 50 per cent of the stage with an access door to the stage of at•
least 5'0" x 12'0". b) two dressing roams with a capacity of 10
people each. Dressing rooms to have proper mirrors, 15 linear
feet of hanging space for clothes, lockable counters and a
washroom coplete with toilet, sink and shower, plus two sinks in
the dressing room proper-Dressing rooms shoUld be as close to
the stage as possible but water closets should be as isolated from
the stage as possible to avoid souncltransmission. c) a back stage
sink for use during the show. d) various control and lighting
improvements including an enlarged control room 85.20 amp
circuits to various lighting bars and to back stage from the control
room panel, extra lighting booth dimmer capacity, a 2" conduit
for a P/A system from the booth to backstage, and a cable tray in
the ceiling area to carry wiring independant of flammable
structural members.
The following is desireable from a facilities standpoint and may
be phased over a period of time: a) a ramp and wahsroorn to
accomodate patrons in wheelchairs b) improved washroom•
facilites for patrons (both in type of facilites, and location) c)
sound proofing to downstairs ceiling (note; a part of this may be
accomplished under SectiOn 1--fireporrfing for basement ceiling)
d) re-use of balcony including construction of a second fire excape
route (potential of about 75 extra seats) e) 2 technical offices f)
extra storage space g) side wall shutters over windows on side
walls to-insulate hall, black out all light, and improve accoustics
h) Catwalk in roof; replacement of cellulose insulation with
fibreglass to prevent dusting i) an improved house lighting
system wired to a common din -truer' panel with 300 watts per
fixture capacity j) ail air conditioning system for dressing rooms
and with a low velocity noiseless delivery for the main flail and
Stage area k) a fly system over' the stage.
TiGgR DUNLOP
from The Huron Tiger
costume sketched by
Pat Flood
set Costume designer
BLYTH SUMMER FESTIVAL issue SUPPLEMENT TO THE
BLYTH STANDARD THE HURON EXPOSITOR AND THE BRUSSELS POST,'
JULY 1978