MANITOWANING—Last week’s meeting of Assiginack council began with a small but mighty delegation from the Burns Wharf Theatre Players (BWTP), throwing themselves upon the mercy of reeve and council and encouraging them to make the upgrading of the historical waterfront building that has served for the past two decades as a theatre, the Burns Wharf building, a priority.
Artistic director Marilyn Wohlberg began the meeting by telling council of the vast numbers of people who have asked about the fate of the summer theatre, as this year’s production by BWTP was cancelled when council raised the alarm about the Burns Wharf, and its upstairs theatre, not being “up to code” in terms of both fire and accessibility.
According to the engineer’s report, the cost of ‘minimum work required’ to get the Burns Wharf up to passable fire code comes in at $221,195.24. This would allow the theatre to continue. Council also had the engineers, Architect 49, establish a quote for the cost of a new theatre building of comparable size. This price tag rang in at $825,000.
“There is no doubt that Burns Wharf Theatre is a vibrant part of this community and it must continue to thrive,” she said, naming the many Assiginack youths that have gained much from their time with the Players. “The arts are so very important in the overall development of children. In fact, I and many others believe it is a necessary part of a well-rounded education and a well-rounded child.”
“The Assiginack council must make the upgrades to Burns Wharf Theatre a priority!” Ms. Wohlberg said with trademark enthusiasm. “Yes, it’s a great deal of money, but there is money available out there that does not have to come out of the taxpayers’ pocket. BWTP, Down Yonder and the concert series will continue to put money back into the municipality’s bank account to help cover the cost of upkeep, hydro and maintenance. That is a given. We have been doing this over the years and have not been a drain on the local economy—the opposite is true.”
Ms. Wohlberg concluded by calling the Manitowaning waterfront “a jewel” that should continue to be cherished, maintained and expanded for future generations to enjoy and by calling on council to “get the job done.”
Ms. Wohlberg’s husband Elwood also spoke, giving statistical evidence as to how the BWTPs add to the local economy.
“The taxpayer of Assiginack should know that our group over the past five years has written out cheques to the township in the amount of $13,403.58, this being 15 percent of gross ticket sales paid for theatre rental,” he explained. “In addition, does the taxpayer know that they are richer in equity by $6,600 in new theatre chairs and a new Yamaha electric piano? The funding for this came from corporate funding which Marilyn and myself secured from INCO, Manitoulin Transport and Amtelecom as well as $600 from the township to help purchase the piano. Thank you township for that. The taxpayer is also richer by $23,000 in 2013 in new lighting for the theatre, paid for with $18,000 from the Trillium Foundation, $1,000 from Xtrata Nickel in Capreol, from Domtar in Espanola, $250 from The Expositor in Little Current, $500 from the township, for which I say thank you, and $3,000 from the Burns Wharf Theatre Players. The township is also richer through a $2,000 sound system purchased by the Burns Wharf Theatre Players. This amount of $31,600 means the taxpayer is richer in equity to say nothing of the cultural benefits we have provided for the community.”
Mr. Wohlberg set his sights on Councillor Leslie Fields, whom he quoted as saying ‘You can dream all you want, but the reality is there is no money.’ He disagreed, pointing to the gas tax given to all municipalities over the next five years, $55,000 of which is going to Assiginack.
He pleaded with council to make the Burns Wharf upgrades a priority, saying that while he realized the need for a good landfill with a long life and passable roads, the arts should be listed up high too.
“In summary, we want to make Manitowaning a destination, not just a place to stop off for a washroom break or a gas fill,” he said. “All we need is the desire from the council and the taxpayer to bring our community to life. It can be done if we want to do it.”
Peter Baumgarten, a Manitowaning resident and fellow member of the BWTP, also addressed council.
“A good community needs good roads and a good landfill, but a healthy community needs to have other things,” he said, noting that the Manitowaning waterfront has five attractions, of which only two are currently in use—the marina and the beach. The Roller Mills, Burns Wharf and the Norisle are all closed for business.
“There’s nothing cultural going on in this community anymore, even Debaj (Debajehmujig Storytellers) isn’t doing what they used to now,” he continued. “In 20 or even 30 years, it would be nice to see more than just an arena in Manitowaning.”
Reeve Brad Ham said he and council all knew the importance of the BWTP and are appreciative of their work. “If we could pull a quarter of a million out of our back pocket, we would,” he said, “but we wouldn’t want to handcuff a new council to that kind of expenditure,” he added, referencing the upcoming October municipal election.
“We’ve always had the moral support of council, we’ve only asked for council for $1,000 once when we were just starting up, but moral support only goes so far,” Mr. Baumgarten said.
Councillor Fields noted that the events coordinator, Jackie White, is actively seeking funding opportunities.
“Is she looking for something specifically for us?” Mr. Baumgarten asked. “Where are we on the priority list of council?”
“If I had to pick a number, four or five?” the reeve responded.
Councillor Brenda Reid asked whether BWTP would consider using the Debaj space in the interim. Mr. Baumgarten said that they would, but not if it meant being there forever.
“It’s pretty obvious that the next two or three years are out of the question, but if it comes to five years down the road…?” Mr. Baumgarten said.
“Don’t sell yourself short—people come to see you and your performance, not the space you’re in,” Councillor Reid said.
“We would feel much better knowing you want to see this happen and not be put on the back burner,” Ms. Wohlberg said.
“For us to say tonight that this is a priority, we just can’t do that,” Councillor Reid said, encouraging the BWTP to address the new council this fall before their initial strategic planning session.
“Is it a very safe bet to say that nothing is going to happen there in time for next year?” Mr. Wohlberg finally asked. Council agreed that yes, it was.
“Don’t let it fall by the wayside, let’s keep working at it together,” Ms. Wohlberg added.
The delegation concluded with a presentation of an enlarged photograph of the Burns Wharf presented to councillors by Mr. Wohlberg for them to keep as a reminder of their project during the remainder of their term, for which he was thanked.
