"A Family Tradition for 128 Years" PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, February 15,1994 - 5 Estimate repairs could cost 56,000. Theatre groups band to upgrade Town Hall 1873 By Scott Anderson Port Perry Star Officials from the various theatre groups in Scugog have banded together to preserve theirlocal venue. Calling themselves PARTS (Performing Arts Resources for the Township of Scugog), the collection of officials from the major performing groups have 'combined forces to upgrade the facilities of Town Hall 1873. The group, consisting of mem- bers from the Town Hall, Millar- Lites, Borelians and Scugog Choral Society, have drafted a $56,000-plan which would sig- nificantly improve conditions at the historic theatre. This plan was presented to council at a meeting on Monday. The plan calls for the pur- chase of new seating, air condi- tioning, upgraded heating facil- ities and structural repairs to the building. Tom Millar, spokesman for PARTS, estimated the cost to be approximately $56,357. The group appeared before council to present its scheme and seek direction from council. "We're not here to ask for any money from the taxpayers," Dr. Millar stressed. Instead, the group would fund the project through its own fundraising activities over a pe- riod of five years. The township would be required to guarantee aloan, however. According to Dr. Millar, the money would be raised through a number of fundraising ven- tures by the groups including surcharges on tickets and free concerts. The group estimates more than $23,000 could be raised per year. Council looks for participation from public in budget process Scugog residents will have an opportunity to participate in this year's budget process. The local council has put aside one day in which members of the community can have a say in how Scugog's finances are shaped. Finance Committee Chair- "man Yvonne Christie said the February 28 meeting will allow - both individuals and represen- " tatives from local organizations to participate in the budget pro- cess. And she stressed those partic- ipating in the public forum do not have to be members of a group to beinvolved. "Anybody wishing to come be- fore council to discuss the bud- get 1s welcome," Councillor Christie said. But in order to participate in the meeting, the residents must indicate their intention to ad- dress council by registering ahead of time. Although nobody has asked to speak during the meeting, Councillor Christie expects a number of groups to be repre- SD: LIZ SAAD sented at the meeting. The meeting will give the groups an opportunity to come forward to discuss their re- quests with council before the budget is passed, she said- It will be particularly impor- tant for groups to attend to ex- plain unique requests for fund- ing from the council's budget. "They are not required to come forward, but if they have something extraordinary to dis- cuss, it will give them the oppor- tunity to come to us," she said. "If something is questionable it will give council a chance to quiz them and then decide ifitis valid." This public consultation pro- cess is one of the many steps in- volved in drafting this year's municipal budget. The budget determines all areas of the mu- nicipality's spending including the Roads Department, Parks and Recreation Committee, the Library Board and the Fire De- partment. Although it is too early to dis- cuss specifics of the budget as the committee is in the early stages of the document, Coun- cillor Christie said it is going to be "a tough budget this year." She noted the uncertainty created by the provincial gov- ernment"s ongoing Social Con- tract legislation is causing in- creased problems to municipalities when creating theirlocal budgets. "We just don't know what the provinceis doing," she said. Cuts in spending and transfer payments last summer caused many municipalities to re-open theirbudgets in an effort tocom- pensate for lost dollars. Many are being cautious in setting spending patterns to avoid be- ing caught this year. Councillor Christie said Scu- gog's budget will be handed down by the end of March. "I think by then we'll have a better handle on the provincial budget." Council is striving for a zero- per cent increase in the budget. Last year's budget came in at 0.8-percent. KARATE Men ~ Women ~ Children - - 2 LOCATIONS - - COURSE INTRODUCTORY Learn about Karate i ; ACADEMIC IMPROVEMENT before you join « 15258 Simcoe St., Two groups began the sur- charge scheme recently and have already collected more than $3,600. "We can, without stepping in asking for money, see a return of $22,000 to $23,000 per year," he said. Although the plan calis for a pay back over five years, Dr. Millar estimates the debt could be covered in less than three years. \ Realizing the need to upgrade the facilities at the century old hall, the groups got together to identify the areas in need. Seating was determined to be a.prime concern. Raised seating would provide better vantage points for the theatre goers in a more comfortable atmosphere. Improvements to the heating system was also identified in or- der to not only save on expen- sive heating bills, but to add to the comfortlevel of the patrons. The most significant expense is the addition of air condition- ing. But Dr. Millar said the $20,000 expense, would enable Turnto Page 12 M & D Meats 30 Water Street, Port Perry 985-4316 Hours: Wednesday 10-6, | Thursday 9-8, Friday 9-8 & New Saturday Hours 8-5 SALE ENDS SATURDAY, TR NN abt FEBRUARY 19, 1994. New York Strip Steaks 99 Save $2.00/Ib. Fresh Chicken Legs No backs attached Fresh Pork Stir Fry Save 70¢/lb. 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