Dear Minister Mackay:

Our family dates back to one of the earliest settlers in Bonavista. Although I was not born in Newfoundland, my father always instilled the wonderful attributes our province and especially Bonavista had to offer. Our growing "love" for Bonavista drew us back on a regular basis and eventually, in 1997 we returned "home" to enjoy our retired life. We were so pleased to hear the Garrick re-opened around that time and were surprised to be able to take in first rate movies.

We enjoyed a "night at the Garrick" and were so disappointed when the theatre had to close its doors.

We were elated to see restoration work begin on the Garrick and looked forward to it becoming a Community Theatre and a major Arts and Culture attraction for the Bonavista Peninsula. We understood that Clarenville was also attempting to construct a Community Theatre and began pondering the impact of having three Arts and Culture Centres within a 110KM radius! Clarenville, Trinity and Bonavista! Just imagine the tremendous attraction this would have to National and International Tourists who enjoy Arts and Culture! One could stay on our Peninsula for a week, enjoy our many day excursions and take in three Arts and Culture attractions while holidaying! Considering the impact and potential of this threefold effect is mind boggling!!

Bonavista will have another beautiful heritage structure when the exterior of the Garrick is completed, but if funding is not forthcoming to complete the interior of this beautiful building, we are not only losing another fragment of our past, but may be ignoring a tremendous Tourist and Cultural impact for the whole Bonavista Peninsula.

Please help us complete THE GARRICK.

Yours sincerely,
Abbott, William
Bonavista
romi.abbott@nf.sympatico.ca

cc:
Hon. Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
Hon. Danny Williams, Premier, Newfoundland and Labrador
Hon. Tom Hedderson, Minister, Tourism, Culture and Recreation
Hon. Kathy Dunderdale, Minister, Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
Scott Simms, M.P., Bonavista Gander Grand Falls-Windsor
Roger Fitzgerald, M.H.A., Bonavista South
Paul Mills, Vice-President (Newfoundland and Labrador), ACOA
Mayor Betty Fitzgerald, Town of Bonavista

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