EDITOR,
The word is out, again, that we can't afford a real theatre just now or ever. Maybe things will look better later or another time, as was said when the civic centre was built. The room at that time that was slated for a theatre with sloping floor got super downsized with a pretend stage at one end with no wings, loft or backdrop space. The floor was made flat with the excuse that with proper theatre seating, it could not be used for anything else. The ice rink, which had its own share of downgrades, escaped into its own priority.
Why does the idea of a theatre, in the minds of some, fall into a lower class of action any more than building apartments and a walkway to the waterfront? Are we seeing theatre as too hoity toity for this "Hick Town," as a member of the Chamber once called us? I should like to think not, for there must be more seen here than just the bottom line. It does not cost too much, certainly not more than building houses. Surely those who make the profit from the town can shave off a little something for the arts. Not just a pretty face.
All this artificial inflation that we are facing these many days must have something for the pot. It is not that we can't afford a theatre. We can't afford to continue down the road without an artistic concern for this town which now has 10 times population of 60 years ago when we didn't seem to give a damn then, either.
Terry Smith
Garibaldi Highlands
