MANITOWANING—Members of the public who attended a meeting in Assiginack Township last week are in favour of the concept of using the Roller Mills building and incorporating an addition or new structure towards a new (year-round) multi-use facility that would house theatre, arts, recreation, meetings, special events and more.
“We came up with a design plan for an arts and events centre when it was proposed as being an addition on the arena, but I like this (multi-use facility) idea better—it brings us back to our origins,” stated Peter Baumgarten of Burns Wharf Theatre Players at an open house meeting held by the township with Chris Perry of Perry and Perry Architects last week.
Mr. Baumgarten said, “Years ago, FedNor had said the best option to get funding is to have a four-season multi-use building. This should also not just look at bringing in people from the (Assiginack) community, but for the whole Island. This type of facility could be an attraction for conferences, workshops, theatre and other events.”
Mr. Perry had told the meeting of about 15 members of the public and three members of Assiginack council, “I am here to listen, to hear what the group feels is the need for your community.”
“Shelba (Millette, economic development officer) did an exceptional job on outlining a vision,” said Mr. Perry. “The CARE (culture, arts, recreation, events) vision aims to bring together various aspects of life, culture, arts, recreation and events under one roof, creating a vibrant hub of training, learning, networking and creativity. It lists celebrating the arts; a haven for creativity; unleashing entrepreneurial potential: supportive spaces for business ventures. Embracing nature: sustainable and eco-friendly design; multi-purpose uses-flexibility for diverse events; technological integration-embracing the digital age; visitor amenities: enhancing the experience. The design should reflect the CARE vision by embracing inclusivity, fostering creativity, empowering entrepreneurship, integrating sustainable and technological features in a wholistic way.”
“Why?” he asked. “Cultural enrichment, economic stimulus, community engagement, educational opportunities, accessible art, tourism attraction, skill development, networking and collaboration, mental and emotional well-being, job creation, uniting different cultures, revitalizing neighbourhoods, strengthening the creative economy, inspiring future generations-incubator, preservation of cultural heritage, public-private partnerships, philanthropic support, cultural tourism development and long term vision.”
The third part of the vision included the possible elements of this vision: marketplace (indoor and outdoor covered), multi-use space (theatre, exhibit, workshop, fitness), public entrepreneur incubator, library, restaurant, commercial retail, amenities, (docks, washrooms, gas) and a water park.”
“That is quite a list for one community project to have,” said Mr. Perry. “What we would like to do is identify three main elements (that could be looked at) and why are any more important than others.”
“The big thing is culture, theatre and performing arts because it creates a tourism attraction, cultural enrichment,” said one attendee. “I say the arts and culture are primary, accessible art (preservation of cultural heritage).”
“We need a facility that has events/activities that create an economic stimulus that benefits the township,” said Marilyn Wohlberg.
“So, culture, economy, market place, theatre, art, exhibits, events, workshops, fitness in multi-use facility seems to be the elements that everyone is in favour of and how this can all fit together,” said Mr. Perry.
“Regarding theatre, Peter (Baumgarten) and I and others would like to see a building that has retractable seats for those attending events,” said Ms. Wohlberg. “St. Benedict’s School in Sudbury has this type of elevated retractable seating. Elwood (Ms. Wohlberg’s husband) and I have been there for theatre. The seats are very comfortable and once the production is done the seats go elsewhere, so there is a huge space left for other groups and events to take place.”
“Such as weddings,” suggested Assiginack Mayor Brenda Reid.
“A multi-use events space, which provides a large space that can accommodate a number of uses,” said Mr. Perry.
“It would have to be a multi-use space. It would need to support the theatre but a large variety of events and groups,” said Mayor Reid.
“At the last council meeting I attended there was talk about having the Roller Mills being recreated and improved and that the (Burns Wharf) Theatre group would be included as one of the users,” said Mr. Baumgarten.
Mr. Perry told the meeting he has been in the Roller Mills building a couple of times to document what is in it and the functionality of the building. “It is a unique structure. When I went through it, I could see it functioning with arts, a craft boutique, a gathering area before and after events, and maybe having an additional new building space addition that holds multi-use events, where for instance the acoustics would be good. There could be a relationship between the two.” He said there is the potential for a big space for parking in the area as well.
As for the Burns Wharf Theatre, which last had a theatre production performed in it in 2013, Mr. Perry said it has a very limited life expectancy and there are real concerns with its condition. “If it is not usable one option is to build new or perhaps have a relationship with the Roller Mills and an addition.”
Ms. Wohlberg said that if the Burns Wharf needs to go there are a lot of wonderful beams that could be preserved on a newer addition structure.
Candace Irwin of Body Stories Dance said she works with a lot of seniors and youngsters and a multi-use space is something she would be in favour of. It is also important to provide space for families and noted that at the art centre in Sudbury there is a childcare located in the facility. “For people and groups that would be long-term renters of space in the building, storage space would be helpful. And there is no place on the Island that has a strong dance floor.”
She said the Canadian Children’s Theatre provides a giant dance studio area that can be cordoned off to make two large spaces (that can be used at the same time).
“We desperately need better theatre space,” said Lynne Dee Sproule of Burns Wharf Theatre Players. “And if it is located in a beautiful location, like the waterfront, it would be great to be able to open a window for a theatre performance to have a relationship with the outside as part of the production.”
There is an amphitheatre behind the current Burns Wharf Theatre building that could be used as a beautiful wedding location, Ms. Irwin added.
Mr. Perry noted, “before looking at redeveloping the stairs and the amphitheatre this would have to have a relationship with development.”
Mr. Baumgarten provided a design plan that had been created for a previously proposed arts and entertainment centre onto the local arena. He said one of the big issues for the Players is the need for a two storey structure over the stage to provide entrance and exit space for the performers and stage crew, bigger set area to accommodate sets, suspended lighting over the stage and not only be insulated but provide air conditioning in the summer as well, along with good acoustics.
Mr. Perry said he would put all the input provided at the meeting together and look at a design that would marry everything into one. He will also be documenting the space requirements in the Roller Mills building and a possible new addition and bring this concept back to another meeting, hopefully in the next couple of weeks. “It’s not what, but how,” said Mr. Perry. He also noted that several more public sessions would need to take place.
Mr. Baumgarten said in looking at a multi-use building, space should be provided for artists displays, photography and workshops. “There should be other rooms that would support these types of displays and activities.”
“In looking at the list and why we need all of this, one of the big reasons is for the youth in the community,” said Ms. Wohlberg. “Whether it is theatre, dance, fitness or arts, we need to get youth involved. We used to have a youth theatre with Burns Wharf Theatre for years. We need a place for kids to do other things than be on computers and the internet. If we can find other things for them to get involved in year-round it will benefit them.”
“It is critical,” stated one gentleman at the meeting. “We need a place for service clubs to be able to have things like Boy Scouts or Girl Guide groups, and other things like meetings and events. It will also benefit the economy by bringing dollars into the township.”
“We would be able to offer space for weddings, special events, even things like dinner-theatre,” said Mayor Reid.
Mr. Perry said he would like to have similar meetings every two weeks and wants to have the design finished for development before the end of summer.
Mayor Reid told The Expositor after the meeting the township had contacted Mr. Perry to work with the township and the local community to develop a design plan for the structure, then a financial plan will have to be developed. All of this would then be put together to take to the government for funding.
