It's been a busy few weeks at the GCI Amphitheatre! In early June 2021, signs when up stating that the Waterloo Region District Schoolboard (WRDSB) would be maintaining the space from here on out (as they had been for many years prior to this). These signs were a precursor to the construction that is underway this week. The Amphitheatre, with the expert help of Melloul Blamey, will see many improvements that will further bolster the safety and security of the site. Included in these improvements will be the clean-up and removal of any unsafe, damaged or rotting building materials and some permanent lighting to illuminate the space after dark. There is also talk of erecting a gated fence that should deter any further, unauthorized, on-site activity.
The Friends of GCI Amphitheatre have worked tirelessly with GCI and the Waterloo Region District Schoolboard to help create a sustainable plan that would ensure the revitalization of this amazing space. It seems our efforts are paying off and the school board is making good on many promises they have made. We couldn't be happier about the current state of the Amphitheatre or the prospect of how it will look when this phase of construction is completed.
To add a quick update about what other efforts the group is engaged in. We are doing our best to keep the site tidy, while also leaving the construction work to the professionals. The WRDSB has asked us to halt all work in the space, but, we still want to do our part to keep it tidy, while also respecting their request. Also, during this time we have been creating a roadmap of how to create the adequate funding to move to phase 2 of the construction process. This requires a lot of tedious grant-writing and fact-finding in order to substantiate our requests to revitalize the space.
We are closer than ever to our goal of revitalization. With the help of every member of this group, and surrounding communities, we are sure that we will be able to accomplish our goals and give this beautiful spot the attention it deserves, while providing a sustainable plan for maintenance for generations to come!
