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HALTON HILLS SPORTS MUSEUM 2008 Hall of Fame Date: Thursday, June 12, 2008 Location: John Elliott Theatre Join us at the Induction Gala. 6:00 pm -Reception 7:00pm - Induction Ceremony Tickets for the gala ceremony can be reserved through Glenda Nixdorf at 905-873-1360. Special Guest Speaker: Melanie Jans Tickets $30 each InductionGala Gerry Ockenden Adam Bennett Katie Rowland John Toebes Melanie Jans 12 Acton/Georgetown, Friday, May 9, 2008 A full-paying tenant has been found Dollarama he said, which intends to relocate to the theatre, and renovate. The cur- rent Dollarama location would be divided up and leased to two or three new retailers, said Leduc. Those tenants have not yet been confirmed. Nobody wants to operate a cinema at the going rent, said Leduc. Yesterday (Thursday), Irani said he would be willing to negotiate the rent, (not up to full rent however) and suggested perhaps the Town of Halton Hills could be approached to provide a tax break for the mall owner. Were open to reasonable negotiation. As long as the city is will ing to contribute, the landlord is willing to contribute, Im willing to contribute, said Irani. Its too late, said Leduc. He said a deal has already been struck with Dollarama, which is expected to take over the theatre location on August 15 and reopen in September. I would be surprised if the city (town) was going to give a tax break, said Leduc. I dont believe in Santa Claus. Leduc also said it doesnt make sense for the company to continue leasing at half price rent, unless we become a chari- table organization. He said it was very sad the theatre was closing. It was our intention to keep the cinema. But (longtime for- mer owner of the theatre) Danny Edwards (couldnt make a go of it), then Eric Ball (of Cam- bridges Independent Booking Slide Screen, which managed the theatre for Toronto-based Prem- ier Theatres, the company that took over from Edwards) called me and said I cannot make it, said Leduc. Leduc said he understands its important for Georgetown to have the cinema but the exer- cise has showed that this busi- ness is not a viable one in Georgetown. We feel we have given it more than our fair share of efforts to keep it alive, and were facing yet another bank- ruptcy concerning the same ten- ant and had to look for another retailer that could occupy the space. Georgetown resident Marc Surette, a regular at the theatre with his daughter, is upset the theatre is closing. Hes set up a website at www.townchroni- cles.com where area residents can sign the petition to save the theatre. About 500 signatures had been collected as of yester- day. The biggest loser here is the kids, said Surette. Surette supports the tax break idea and said, theres got to be a million solutions. Georgetown resident Silvana Bezina is also fighting to keep the theatre open. Were all shocked, said Bezina. She said she feels at ease taking her children to the the- atre and the price is right at $6.50 for adults and $4.25 for children. She said they collected about 400 signatures on the petition at the theatre Tuesday evening and that she and others intend to picket in front of the theatre next Tuesday. Glen Williams resident Janet Bailey, a mom of five, has dis- tributed a flyer calling for help in saving the theatre. I like it because its safe. Ive gone to Brampton Silver City. Ive had things thrown at me. Ive had friends who have had kids beat up after leaving the theatre. Halton Hills Mayor Rick Bonnette has heard from several area residents looking for his help in keeping the theatre open and understands their disap- pointment. This is a business decision. Having said that, I well express our disappointment to the com- pany and ask if theres anything that can be done to assist the movie theatre in remaining open. Hes asked plaza owner Sunstone Realty Advisors to reconsider their decision to not continue the lease. (Lisa Tallyn can be reached at ltallyn@independentfreepress.com) Cinemas planned closure sparks public outrage Sorab Irani (left) and his wife Shahrzad, shown last year after tak- ing over management of the Georgetown Cinemas, are upset that, unless they can negotiate a deal on their rent, they will be forced close the cinemas next week with a Dollarama store taking over the Guelph Street location. File photo by Ted Brown Continued from pg. 1