Dear editor:

Winston Churchill once said, according to several online sources, that the Niagara Parkway was the prettiest in the world for a Sunday drive. I have heard that he also said Niagara-on-the-Lake is the most beautiful town in North America, although I could not verify this. Maybe such comments, from the famous to the average man or woman, make NOTL the second-biggest tourist destination in Canada.

NOTL certainly is a beautiful, charming, historic and quaint town now, and it’s these qualities, I’m sure, that draw both residents and tourists to the area. But, this state seems increasingly threatened by the powers-that-be and of influence into becoming just another 20th-21st century hodge-podge of mixed architecture stuffed into every little bit of greenspace or of what can be demolished, historic or not.

I shudder every time I pass a spot on Queen Street where an internationally known sign advertises ice cream because it doesn’t belong among the one-of-a-kind shops. Everyone I mentioned this to in a group to which I belong feels the same about that sign and shop.

Now, to add to this abomination, a huge monstrosity of a concrete and glass theatre is threatening to loom over the quaint little shops, casting shadows over them and the charm of the street. The people in that previously mentioned group all agree with me that the size and facade of the proposed theatre do not belong on Queen Street at all.

This “fishbowl” does not belong on historic Queen Street any more than does a hockey arena or baseball diamond. It will be as much out of character as are the “fishbowl houses” built in the historic parts of town.

I know the Royal George Theatre is old and has structural and utility issues. But, if the exterior structure is sound, why can’t it be gutted, extended a bit to the rear and renovated? If not, then why can’t the new theatre have a front facade that fits into its surroundings while the interior is modern?

Why does a rehearsal hall and other amenities have to be built at this location, causing the demolition of three historic homes? Why can’t these facilities be built by the new actor’s residence or behind the Festival Theatre where they won’t spoil the ambience and character of Old Town?

Besides farming, it is tourism that supports the economy of this gorgeous little part of our country and keeping it beautiful, historic, charming and quaint is a huge, huge part of the attraction.

Please don’t ruin Queen Street with this “fishbowl” monstrosity, but keep it “different from everywhere else,” as Garth Turner quoted in his column last week (“The Turner Report: The NOTL dream died. So they left,” July 10).

Ann Goodin
Old Town