Express Your Views

The Bonavista Historic Townscape Foundation is attempting to gauge public opinion on the merits of redeveloping the Garrick Theatre at Bonavista. We invite you to make known your views on this matter, either by sending the form letter from the link below supporting our ACOA application, or by writing your own letter.

The letters will be sent directly from this site to the following:

1. Hon Peter Mackay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
2. Hon. Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
3. Hon. Danny Williams, Premier, Newfoundland and Labrador
4. Hon. Tom Hedderson, Minister, Tourism, Culture and Recreation
5. Hon. Kathy Dunderdale, Minister, Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
6. Scott Simms, M.P., Bonavista Gander Grand Falls- Windsor
7. Roger Fitzgerald, M.H.A., Bonavista South
8. Paul Mills, Vice-president (Newfoundland and Labrador) ACOA
9. Mayor Betty Fitzgerald, Town of Bonavista

• Click here to send a pre-formatted letter of support. (Unavailable at this time)
• Click here to write and submit your own letter of support. (Unavailable at this time)
• Why the Garrick Theatre Merits Support
• Contact the Foundation
• Supporting Cast & Letters of Support

If you require further information about the Garrick Theatre, please peruse this web site or contact the Foundation at the address listed below. Thank you for taking the time to express your views about the future of the Garrick.

Why the Garrick Theatre Merits Support

1. By offering a varied program - Newfoundland music of all types, amateur/youth theatre and independent film - the Garrick would give visitors more options. It would not put on performances by a professional theatre company during the summer tourism season, in order to complement rather than compete with Rising Tide Theatre at nearby Trinity.

2. The Garrick would provide much-needed additional enticement for visitors to overnight on the tip of the Bonavista Peninsula, and lead to investment and employment in accommodations and other tourism-related businesses.

3. The Garrick would enhance the Bonavista Peninsula's potential as a "must see" destination in Eastern Newfoundland - especially for visitors with an interest in culture - thereby increasing the size of the visitor market for the entire region.

4. With its appealing architecture and location in the heart of Bonavista's town centre, within walking distance of most residents, the Garrick - like old theatres in many towns and cities throughout North America - would provide a powerful inducement for further revitalization of that commercial core.

5. By offering film - both mainstream and independent - to supplement live performance, the Garrick would be able to operate several nights every week, creating activity on the street and helping to revitalize the commercial core. It would also improve the viability of the facility and make it more sustainable.

6. The Garrick would provide a good quality, well-equipped, year-round, theatrical venue (and an audience) for Rising Tide Theatre and other Newfoundland artists.

7. The Garrick would allow residents of the area - young and old - to experience the best of Newfoundland and Canadian artists, or local amateur performers, in a purpose-built theatre. Offering young people, in particular, direct access to the arts can help to broaden their horizons, increase their confidence and expand their educational and career boundaries. In this way the Garrick would have immense social and economic value.

8. By offering a myriad of social, economic, cultural and educational benefits, the Garrick would enhance the quality of life in the Bonavista area.

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Contact the Foundation

For further information contact the Foundation at:

Bonavista Historic Townscape Foundation
P.O. Box 10
Bonavista, NL  A0C 1B0

Telephone: (709) 468-2880
Fax: (709) 468-7253
Email: info@garricktheatre.ca

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