MANITOWANING—An executive member of the Burns Wharf Theatre Players (BWTP) is encouraged and hopeful that the proposed Assiginack Arts and Entertainment Centre will go forward and that they will be a part of the initiative.
“I’m somewhat hopeful that this all goes somewhere,” stated Peter Baumgarten in an interview with The Expositor last week. “We look forward to collaborating with council and providing input on the proposed plans on how we could help and how it would benefit us so we can remain in the community and help the community grow.”
As was reported in last week’s edition of The Expositor, Assiginack Mayor Brenda Reid said they are interested in determining if it is feasible for the community to own and operate an arts and entertainment centre. They are exploring the use of the Roller Mills building on the waterfront as a location. She noted the facility would house community theatre, other arts performances, provide a vendors’ market and be a facility for event rentals and more. Public input will be sought.
“This would be good news,” Mr. Baumgarten said. “It has gone through a long process.” He noted, “The impetus had come from the previous council after then-mayor Dave Ham had contacted me and other members of the community to be members of an arts and entertainment committee. We met many times even during the pandemic (via Zoom).”
“The committee came up with a tentative plan and the township EDO (economic development officer) participated and drew up a funding application,” said Mr. Baumgarten. “Then, basically, the committee stopped meeting. It essentially disbanded and our requests and input to council were ignored.”
“I’m on the executive (of BWTP) and we have not been informed on anything, even though we had sent lots of letters and made lots of requests to council,” said Mr. Baumgarten. “So, when I saw on a recent council meeting agenda (that the future of the buildings was being looked at) we attended the meeting.” Previously Assiginack had received funding to hire an architect (Perry and Perry Architects) “and we understood the theatre would be attached to the arena. However, council decided this was not the place to have the theatre located.”
Council has now, “decided to investigate having the theatre at the waterfront, incorporating it into the Roller Mills,” said Mr. Baumgarten. “It will be good news if this goes forward.”
Mayor Reid had told The Expositor the township is in the preliminary stage of exploration which involves council working with an architect and beginning with public consultation which they hope to undertake after Easter. She also said council is looking forward to hearing feedback from the community.
