12 Independent & Free Press,Thursday, October 20, 2011 Globe seeks public's help After spending more than $450,000 renovating the Armoury in the Georgetown Fairgrounds, Georgetown Globe Productions is now turning to the community to help raise another $400,000 to finish the job. Globe stepped in to save the 1867 Armoury in 2009 when the Town of Halton Hills announced plans to demolish the building due to its unsafe conditions. Globe, however, saw the building, once repaired, as an ideal place for its own. Should anything happen to Globe Productions in the future, the Town will own the building once again, but it must be used for arts, cultural or heritage purposes. Globe's President Lois Fraser is excited about rescuing this important part of the town's heritage. "Yes, we are going to love rehearsing and performing there, but the biggest thrill is knowing that long after all of us working on this project are gone, this building will still be there," she said. "Instead of a pile of rubble turned into a few parking spots, we have captured the spirit of the people who built it in 1867, the forethought of those who moved it from Main Street to the Georgetown Fairgrounds a few years later and we have paid tribute to all the Lorne Scot Regiment soldiers who drilled there and went off to the First and Second World Wars". The Town gave Globe the cost of demolition-- $29,600. Drawing on the $170,000 Globe had saved as a result of many successful shows over the past 27 years, the work began in the summer of 2010. Globe reinforced the building with steel beams and put on a new steel roof that will last 100 years. With the blessing of the neighbours, they ordered a red roof. When a custom cut green one arrived in error, the group was delighted to save $3,000 by opting for green. Along with a Trillium grant of $150,000 and donations from key donors, a new phase of work began this past spring. Globe removed the green whitewash and brought the warm, wooden interior back to its original condition, rebuilt the two floors on the east end of the building and installed up-to-date washrooms, which are handicapped accessible. The exterior will look like board and batten, but it will be made of high fibre cement that will easily last 50 years with little or no maintenance. The $400,000 now required to finish the restoration will go towards rebuilding an unstable mezzanine floor for Globe's Youth Company rehearsals, insulating and putting on the new siding, covering the existing asphalt floor with material suitable for dance rehearsals. Globe can rehearse in the current structure, but installing heating and air-conditioning is a health requirement if Globe wants to invite members of the public to attend shows there. The next challenge after that is to install lighting and sound equipment and a portable stage that can be Longtime Globe set builder Chris Walker (left) was joined by Globe president Lois Fraser, as they display a scale model of the Armoury, built by Walker. Now that the former Armoury is the home of Georgetown Globe Musical Productions, the model will be used to promote the structure for fundraising events, to continue the renovations and restoration of the historic building located in Georgetown Fairgrounds. Photo by Ted Brown put up for performances, but taken down for rehearsals. These additions will allow Globe to put on cabarets, small shows and even take summer productions outside. A monetary gift or an in-kind donation can be pledged over a three-year period and the names of major donors will be published in the programs handed out to theatre-goers. The Town of Halton Hills will administer these funds and issue a tax receipt for all gifts of $25 or more. If you wish to donate call Maureen Walker, 905-877-4323 or Nanci Llewellyn, 905-877-8707. Globe was formed when the John Elliott Theatre (JET) was built. In addition to bringing quality musical theatre to Halton Hills, Globe is an active community supporter including participating free-ofcharge in numerous community events, renting and sharing its costume, property and set resources, and contributing skills and expertise to the community. Its website is www.globeproductions.ca COURTEOUS HOMETOWN SERVICE 2008 SANTA FE LIMITED loaded, leather, alloys. Sale Price 103,000 kms, a must see! 2006 F250 2WD, supercab, 5.4L V8, one owner, Sale Price 2008 MONTANA SV6, loaded, one owner. 59,000 kms. Sale Price 2010 JOURNEY SXT, 7 pass., low kms. Sale Price $ 17,998 $ 14,998 $ 9,998 $ 17,998 H U G E SAVINGS! 2008 FOCUS SE, auto, loaded, one owner. 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