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'Gibson Centre is a great venue', 'a major part of our
community'
to the editor,
Posted
October 5, 2012
I read with great fear the news report in regards to the fate
of the Gibson Cultural Centre, I fear it is the start of the end.
We go to great lengths, struggles and sometimes even nasty wars of
words when it comes to sports, we will do whatever it takes to protect
theses programs.
Why are we not doing the same for the Gibson Centre?
Recently I had an opportunity to attend a performance of "Bye Bye
Birdie" at the Gibson Centre and was so amazed and in awe, not only of
the performance, but of what was obviously the work of some truly
dedicated people to bring it all together. I decided then that I would
make a point of seeing at least one performance of each production.
The cast in the performance I saw was completely made up of the youth
of our community, and the talent was of a caliber high enough to amaze
you.
What will our community lose if this school for the performing
arts is taken away from these kids? A lot.
I agree that sports and team involvement go a long way towards building
a solid and confidant future adult among those that are involved from
an early age. They learn team spirit, to lose with dignity, to
win with even greater dignity, to give it their all, to accomplish a
goal, to see it through. Self confidence, the reward of hard work
and a sense of belonging are all great lessons learned as well.
But sports is not for everyone, but everyone does matter.
The kids I watched during the performance of Bye Bye Birdie will all
achieve the same great life lessons that others are learning through
involvement in sports, they are just learning them in a different, yet
just as important manner. They are learning a lot more too, how
many among us have the courage to stand up and speak publicly, never
mind perform a solo, with the emotion needed to make it believable, all
while projecting your voice to an audience of your piers, and while
standing under a hot spot light, now that's a confident person, with a
great head start to life.
The Gibson Centre is a great venue, certainly there must be a way that
it can generate revenue to sustain itself and continue to be such a
major part of our community.
The atmosphere of the building itself would be beautiful for
The Sugar Plum Fair, a farmers market in the summer, art exhibits and
shows for local talent, semi-monthly flea market - the possibilities
are endless - please take the time to consider them and more when you
decide its fate.
