Public meeting about new arts centre set for May 5

On Monday, May 5, at 7 p.m. Yarmouth Town Council and the Yarmouth Arts Regional Council will host a public meeting to determine the level of support that exists among the residents of Yarmouth County and the Acadian Shores for the replacement of Th' YARC (the Yarmouth Arts Regional Centre) by a newly constructed

multi-disciplinary, multi-purpose complex. This meeting will take place in the main hall of the Wesleyan Church, 70 Haley Rd., Yarmouth.

The doors of the present arts centre on Parade Street opened to the public in May, 1979, with the musical production, Annie get Your Gun. Since then the Th' YARC has offered a broad range of stage entertainments, touring attractions, visual and craft exhibits, and workshops. Built remains of a former service station back in the late 70s, Th’YARC officials say it has become evident more recently that Th' YARC as it is can no longer satisfactorily meet the growing needs and expectations of arts practitioners and enthusiasts alike in this area of the province nor of many potential touring groups who could showcase their work in this region.

At its fall strategic planning meeting, Town Council designated the new YARC project as its top priority. Because of this commitment, it is important that council determines how strongly the citizens of the area feel in support of this initiative before committing fully to seeing this project completed.

The Arts Council's New YARC Planning Committee has completed all basic technological studies necessary prior to proceeding to the design phase of its planned new facility. Once the results of the May 5 meeting are known, the Yarmouth Arts Regional Council will be better equipped to mobilize its plans for its planned complex.

Those attending the May 5 meeting can ask questions of representatives from the Town Council and the Arts Council via open mic. Anyone unable to be present on this occasion is invited to submit their written views through e-mail to .

For further information relating to this meeting, contact Sandy Fevens at 902-742-1136 or James Colbeck at 902-742-8055.