Village Squire, 1980-03, Page 8building, and have it weatherized: that is, repair the roof,
windows and stonework. Then the Opera House could be
"mothballed" until sufficient funds and ideas are available.
Trifid would like to see a local user committee formed to
contemplate what is best for the Opera House as it relates to the
community.
The company would also like to discuss with government
heritage agencies as well as local organizations ways and means
d preserving the unique structure.
Heritage St. Marys, the local Architectural Conservation
Advisory Committee, believes the Opera House is the focal point
d "The Stone Town" and one of the most important buildings,
as far as historical architecture is concerned, in Western Ontario.
The group is in the process of having the building designated as
a heritage building.
It shares Mr. King's concern for the exterior of the Opera
House. In fact, architects for the committee report the condition
of the buildng is at a critical stage and serious consequences
could result within three years, if action is not taken soon to
"seal" the exterior of the building.
Heritage St. Marys has taken its concerns to Trifid, and in
1980, the 100th anniversary of the Opera House,is trying to bring
to the public's attention the condition of the building.
According to Lorne Eedy, a member of Heritage St. Marys and
d the Opera House committee, the group is avoiding grandiose
plans for the future of the building. The main consideration is, at
the present time, that the roof and four walls be maintained. If
the roof was repaired and the windows replaced, the upper floors
of the Opera House could be "sealed off" for as long as 20 years.
Then Tong -term plans could be made.
The reconditioning of the structure's exterior will require a
substantial sum of money. Although Heritage St. Marys feels the
project could best be accomplished by a public group, it will do
everything possible to help Trifid. Mr. Eedy strongly suggests a
public foundation be set up to consider the present and future of
the Opera House.
In 1973, art historian Professor Douglas Richardson of the
University of Toronto described the structure as "the most
important building in St. Marys". After 100 years of natural and
man-made rigours, the St. Marys Opera House is still standing
PG. 6 VILLAGE SQUIRE/MARCH 1980
Photos courtesy of the St. Marys Museum
and the St. Marys Journal -Argus.
•
The elongated gothic windows of
the former auditorium have been
cut in half by the third floor which
was added in 1920. The building's
architect was S. Weeks of Weeks
and Smyth of London.
proudly in "The Stone Town." Although a long-distance view of
the Opera House is almost impossible because of grain silos and
other buildings, the facade still commands an admiring long look
from visitors and home town people alike.
•
....where the gifts
of today are
sold with
the charm
and
friendliness
of yesterday...
a ri Zamptell
JEWE LLER• • • EXETER. ONT. 235.2720