We have about five weeks to move our community to truly understand the value and background of the proposed Valley First Community Arts Theatre, to be located on the former Penmar site, located at 361 Martin St.
It would be a shame to lose a project just because there are questions you may have about a very useful community site, which already has enough interest for it to go ahead. However, we must raise $165,000 immediately so that the workers can go inside the building, and do about eight weeks of work, which will allow the doors to actually open for business, and further grants will be able to become available to the society, once the doors open.
At the society’s AGM, a very large group of people gathered and expressed their interest in keeping the society moving forward. It was great to see such enthusiasm and positivity in our city; however, that’s not enough. we need action.
Should you be thinking we do not need another building, appreciate the fact that the owners of the property have offered said property for sale to the Penmar Community Arts Society. The theatre is to be priced for families to have fun at old movies, cartoons, documentaries, dance recitals, live music and currently there are no other venues that can do this on a regular basis for an affordable price. It will have the tools to become a centre for studying film as an Okanagan College course.
This is the portion that has the ability to open to the public in roughly eight weeks after the doors are reopened. It will be a wonderful place to meet like-minded friends.
I can only find people in the community who do not have enough information about this proposal, and without inquiring further, do not realize we will lose it all if we are unable to raise the required $165,000 by April 1, 2016.
It all began with a viable plan to keep a low cost operation. Let us not lose this plan.
Please email for any questions you might have at info@penmar.ca or check out our Facebook page: fb.com/ThePenmar.
Bonnie Ross
Penticton