WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1988, PAGE 9 Society, theatre presidents support suggestion for Centennial By Mike Johnston Mayor Bob Attersley's com- ments last week that a museum and the Whitby Courthouse Theatre should be the only two occupants of the Centennial Building is welcome news for the presidents of both organizations. "I am rejoiced that we were considered as a priority," said Bert Heaver, president of the theatre group. Heaver said the theatre is in need of more space, but not at the cost of other organizations. "We have never advocated more space for us at the expense of others," said Heaver. The theatre's two most press- ing needs, according to Heaver, are a backstage workshop and a dressing room. The backstage workshop would be used for constructing sets, leaving the stage for rehearsals or other groups that may need it. "Our makeup room now is 6-ft. by 9-ft. Space is what we need now," he said. He explained that the theatre overall is in good shape, with the group having recently replaced the seats. He has not discussed the idea with Attersley but he was aware it was coming. "The mayor and councillors in Whitby are on our side. A lot of money is spent in this town on sports while the arts do suffer a little," said Heaver. Bil Oyagi, president of the Whitby Historical Society, also praised Attersley's announce- Barricades will stay on Kathleen street. Barricades will remain on Kathleen St. until council decides if cars should be allowed to make left hand turns onto Dundas St. E. Kathleen St. has been open onto Dundas for four months but has remained barricaded because of the danger to any traffic mak- ing a left hand turn. The public works department asked council Monday night for $10,000 to install underground ducts at the intersection as a prerequisite for traffic signals. Council turned down the request. "I'm not in favor of lights there. Maybe a concrete curbing would be a better answer," said regional councillor Marcel Brunelle. Mayor Bob Attersley agreed that lights were not the answer. He said he had been opposed to opening the street to Dundas, and instead favored a cul-de-sac on Kathleen. North ward councillor Ross Batten noted that since the intersection has yet to be open, there is no proof that lights are needed. "It would be premature to approve this without investiga- tion," said Batten. Regional councillor Tom Edwards disagreed, noting that the street might ease traffic off Thickson Rd. Council voted to send* the request for the underground ducts to the first meeting of operations committee in 1989, to be held Jan. 9. Westminster United Church f 25 Manning Rd. Whitby 723-6442 (Btween Thickson and Garrardl) Sunday, Dec. 18 10:30 Advent Worship Celebration 10:15 Carol Sing Mr. Begbie's Message: "Snow on Snow" Nursery - Childrens Christmas Party 7:30 Carols by Candlelight presented by the Sanctuary Choir & Minister of Music: Mr. Ron Kellington Christmas Eve Services 7:00 p.m & 10:30 p.m. "Welcome" is more than a word at Westminster ment. "We have been waiting for something like this," said Oyagi. A recent feasibility study on possible museum sites by M ar- shall Macklin Monaghan for the society noted that the Centennial Building offers "very good poten- tial for museum facilities. "The structure has sufficient space to accommodate museum spatial requirements, both cur- rent and future. "That site was one of our main options so the location for the museum was not out of the blue although the announcement was," said Oyagi, who is concer- ned about the museum's current location in the Kendalwood Plaza. "That plaza is getting very busy," said i Oyagi. The society has an agreement with the owner, who has donated the space, that they will vacate the premises within two weeks' notice. "We have not had any contact with the Town about this yet. We would like to get it finalized as quickly as possible,"said Oyagi. Attersley said a board of management would operate the Centennial Building. It would be similar to the board - that operates the Whitby Public libr- ary. Attersley has yet to approach either groups or other councillors with his proposal but he wants to get started as soon as possible. e is also not aware of the costs involved. "I would like to get on a roll with this thing. I'm sick and tired sitting around with this situation. A home for the histori- cal situation in town is con- stantly being hammered at us (council)," said Attersley. He explained that a number of circumstances came together which led to his announcement. "We have 78 years left on the building's lease at $1 a year and one of the main organizations in there (Durham Family YMCA) have said they will be leaving," he said.