Dear editor:
As a recent newcomer to the Town of Fort Frances, I was immediately impressed with the excellent sports and arts facilities available to this community.
Over the past 25 years, we have lived in a number of much larger cities that cannot boast of facilities like the La Verendrye Parkway, the Townshend Theatre, the Fort Frances Public Library, and the Memorial Sports Centre (with two indoor rinks, a walking track, swimming pool, weight room, racquet ball courts, etc.)
Unfortunately, to my great dismay, I have come to realize that many of our citizens do not appreciate and respect these facilities that were provided through much hard work and dedicated fundraising by local citizens and service groups.
Although food and beverages are not allowed in the Townshend Theatre, and the volunteer ushers carefully monitor people entering and leaving, many remnants of such are found on the floor and the seats after each performance—smuggled into the theatre in pockets and purses.
The sports centre, meanwhile, has had to restrict the use of the facilities, and hire special security, because of damage caused to the dressing rooms and the public use areas.
The parkway, as well as the entrance areas to both the sports centre and the theatre, constantly are littered with cigarette butts and discarded food and beverage containers, not to mention pet refuse.
Repairs and maintenance to these facilities are the responsibility of the Town of Fort Frances, therefore the taxpayers, who already are facing significant increase in property taxes.
Citizens of Fort Frances and area, I beg of you to take care of these awesome facilities before increased user fees, larger tax increases, or large damage deposits force the restricted use or closure of the Townshend Theatre or the Memorial Sports Centre.
Yours truly,
Davetta Sheppard
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
