Playhouse set to open

Back in June, when the discussion was taking place at Council about whether to repair the aging facility, it was noted the cost would be $500,000 just to make the facility operable again. Future repairs would cost $7.2 million. But there is reluctance on the part of some to throw any more money at a facility that doesn’t meet the needs of the community.

“I don’t think people realize how old the building is,” says Councillor Cori Ramsay. “I think it’s creeping up on 50 years. It did go through massive renovations throughout its life to make sure it functions. But for a city our size, having a performing venue with just 300 seats is not enough.”

Ramsay has acted in productions within that facility and knows where the warts are.

“It’s really great, idealistically, to say ‘Hey, we have this great venue.’ But if you’ve been in it and you’ve performed in it and you’ve gone to shows in it, you kind of know that underneath the pretty facade, there’s a lot of structural issues.”

by Cheryl Jahn

Playhouse set to open

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