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The idea of replacing the old town hall with a multi-use
building, complete with a theatre, met with mixed reviews at
Kincardine council Wednesday night (May 20).
Bryan Walden of Kincardine Cable TV, presented the idea with support
from the Kincardine Theatre Guild which performed an "Ode to the
Penetangore Centre," along with 'future' testimony to the centre
being a "loverly" addition to downtown Kincardine. Walden said the
new facility would prompt increased business and tourism and provide
a centre for the area's arts, including theatre, social, ethnic,
education, music and hospitality groups.
The centre would feature a 400-seat theatre, convention and meeting
rooms, art gallery and rehearsal hall. It would support performances
of theatre guild productions, cabaret-style summer theatre,
festivals, musicals, multicultural productions, concerts, school
plays, opera, ballet, medium-sized conventions, meetings and art
displays.
A report by KMB International states that the building would be a
focal point for the continuing transformation of Kincardine, its
downtown and the waterfront district into an enhanced tourist and
cultural attraction. "The centre expresses in its form and materials
the spirit of Kincardine and its lake. The tower will define its
presence and give all a panoramic view of the region."
Walden said the new structure would feature an outdoor stage for
such events as the Kincardine Scottish Festival and the Kincardine
Summer Music Festival, with proper sound and lighting equipment.
"The new building could be used by everyone in the community," said
Walden. "The municipality has applied for a grant to fix up the
existing building so now is the time to think about whether it's
what we really want. Or do we want to put money into a new building
which will meet the community's needs. We deserve this type of
building just as much as anyone else."
Councillor Kenneth Craig was unsure about the need for another
structure, since there is plenty of space in other venues for
wedding receptions, anniversaries and celebrations. However, he
agreed that it is a good idea as a convention centre, and suggested
it be to referred to the tourism committee for review.
"I think we've looked at a building like this several times," said
councillor Guy Anderson. "There were sketches of a building at the
harbour, one at the annex, a new building on the site of the old
town hall, and then a proposal for the former W.E. Thompson Public
School. There seems to be a group of people interested in this."
He admitted the old town hall does not offer a lot of heritage, but
suggested that council should conduct the community planning study
and see if a new building is what the public wants. (next column)
24/05/2009 09:12 PM
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Jim Peddie of the Kincardine Theatre Guild
addresses council
Councillor Marsha Leggett said the municipality needs to concentrate
more on keeping its hospital. "Stratford is closing convention centres,"
she said. "This is Kincardine, for heaven's sake, we already have one
'elephant' at the harbour."
"My biggest concern," said deputy mayor Laura Haight, "is the location
of the facility. I remember in the 1990s, there was talk of tearing down
the old town hall and the heritage group got upset. If we restored the
roof, it could be the heritage anchor of the community. I would like to
see increased space for arts and culture but I'd like it to stay in a
heritage building."
Walden argued that it would better serve the community to put money into
a new building rather than the old town hall.
"If we restore the old town hall properly, it could become an important
heritage feature," said Haight. "But then it could turned into
professional offices or something, not necessarily a theatre."
Mayor Larry Kraemer objected to putting a new building on the site of
the old town hall because of the problems it would create with the
heritage society. "We need to find a site other than Victoria Park," he
said. "The political battles about tearing down the old town hall are
not worth the fight."
"We need this site," said Walden. "It's a prime site in the community,
the municipality owns it and it would anchor the downtown."
Council agreed to defer the project to the community planning process.
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