Dear Minister MacKay,

I first visited Bonavista in 1955 coming there on a refrigerated cargo vessel to pick up frozen cod for the USA. What I remember most some fifty-one years later is the vitality of the town. At that time some 600 people were employed at Bonavista Cold Storage, which was operating 24 hours a day, and Ryan's and others were still packing salt cod. However, one of the main indices of life and commerce that remains in my memory is the Garrick Theatre. Who would have thought, coming from Bay Bulls to far-off Bonavista, one could find a full-fledged movie house, as if you were in St. John's! I can still remember that Heidi was playing. On a less personal note I would lend my support to the continuing renovation of the theatre for the very practical reason that such a facility is badly needed. Any person traveling throughout the Province, as I do, is struck by the virtual explosion in the development of the arts, including the performing arts. This should be cherished and encouraged by us all. Bonavista serves a draw area of over 12,000 people. This facility, properly refurbished, would be an ideal venue for all sorts of entertainment and activity for a vast area, visited by tourists from all over the Province and all over the world. Although I realize the vitality of 1955 generated by the cod fishery may take decades to return, if ever, surely at least the contribution of the Garrick Theatre can be achieved now. I therefore urge those who have the privilege of funding to give due consideration to this worthy and necessary endeavour. Yours truly, Gerald F. O'Brien, Q.C. St. John's, NL gobrien@obrienandassoc.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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