Greater Sudbury Northern Life Reporter Bill Bradley
A group of local musicians and community members are hoping to revitalize the Grace Hartman Amphitheatre in Bell Park.
Local musician Rod Bazinet and 284 others on Facebook are attempting to get support for turning the city's attention to repair and enhancing arts venues that already exist.
“Scott Mitchell calls the amphitheatre a Greek ruin in the middle of our city. Now that most residents and city councillors have turned down the performing arts centre project, let's revitalize what we have already,” said Bazinet, a vocalist and guitarist with the Blues Brothers.
Three weeks ago he and a few musician friends started the Facebook campaign.
“The contributors are mostly local people. We get 15 to 20 more each day on the Facebook site," he said.
“This gem in our city has been used for over 40 years. It has a lot of potential if it was repaired. It could be torn down to be able to have more seating available along with a covered stage."
Bazinet said many people were unhappy about the choice of location for the arts centre.
“Most people I talked to said we should maximize the beauty of the lakeside at Ramsey Lake rather than putting it downtown. Space there is at a premium anyways. Some felt there were too many vested interests who wanted it in the downtown."
By ensuring the stage was covered, the risk that organizations like Northern Lights Festival Boreal (NLFB), Summerfest or the Dragonboat Festival undertake in holding major events there could be lessened, said Bazinet.
He noted that concerts can be cancelled if severe weather threatens. Blackie and the Rodeo Kings were cancelled two years ago at the NLFB Sunday when lightning threatened. He said there were smaller venues already that can accommodate 1,500 people such as the new facility at Glad Tidings on Regent Street.
“We could also boost seating maybe up to 6,500 if we tore down the amphitheatre. Right now it is hard pressed to accommodate 2,000 and there is not much available for disabled persons there.”
“If we plan it properly, Sudbury could actually attract more world class shows, and probably at a fraction of the cost of some other legacy projects.”
Bazinet is holding a public meeting Tuesday, November 18 at 6 p.m. at Tom Davies Square in room C13A. For more information, go to the group's Facebook site.
