Dear Minister MacKay,

I am writing in support of the proposal to redevelop the Garrick Theatre in Bonavista. As a typical fishing community in Newfoundland, Bonavista has had its hard times over the years. However, no matter how little we had, we could always boast that we had something that no other community on the Bonavista Peninsula had, and that was our own Theatre. Through long harsh winters and beautiful summer evenings after work was all done, we could forget everything and ride the West with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, fall in love with Elvis Presley, or have a beach party with Frankie Avalon and Annette. Then on Thursday evenings after school, for 25 cents, we could attend a matinee, buy a Coke, and a bag of freshly popped popcorn.

Over the years, we took our children to the movies each week and also saw many of the latest films as a couple for our night out. Then as VHS rentals became the norm, the Theatre was the place to go for local talent performances in concert. Just as this venue was attracting crowds that had drifted away from the movies, the Theatre closed. Now more than ever, the citizens of our local area need a gathering place to laugh, sing, and be entertained whether through movies or live performances, and the Garrick would be the ideal place. The local Historic Committees with the support of our citizens would make sure that the Theatre would thrive summer and winter.

It would be a shame for funding agencies and government to abandon this project now when so much work has already been done. Bonavista has gone through many ups and downs during its inception and now more than ever, economically, we need something to revitalize our town to ensure its survival.

Yours sincerely,

Cheryl Shirran
Bonavista, NF
cheryl.shirran@cna.nl.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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