Walter Learning speaks out against demolishing Playhouse

The founder of Theatre New Brunswick is speaking out against a proposal to replace the Playhouse in downtown Fredericton with a new facility built elsewhere in the city.

"As Shakespeare said `This way madness lies," statedLearning in an emailto CBC News.

"You don't destroy theatres you save and rebuild them," he wrote. "Thank God Moncton and Saint John didn't tear down the Imperial and the Capitol.

"Shame on the Fredericton destroyers."

The Playhouse opened in 1964andLearning was named its general manager in 1968.The following year, he created Theatre New Brunswick, a touring regional theatre company.

Learning was reacting toa consultant's report released last week that recommends replacing the Playhouse with a $40 million facility with two performance venues. The main hall would have 850 seats and the second venue would be a 300-seat flexible performance space.

The current Playhouse would be demolished.

The report identifies two possible locations for a new facility a privately owned parking lot near King and Regents streets or riverfront property behind City Hall and the courthouse.

Wayne Burley, the chairman of the Playhouse board of directors, says the report indicates it doesn't make sense to renovate the current Playhouse building.

"Once you would start a major renovation project on the Playhouse, all the new codes kick in," said Burley. "The new codes would require major changes to what we have there now in terms of access, the use of the balcony, that sort of thing.

"We'd end up with a smaller theatre without any of the other things that we feel are important the lobby, that kind of thing."

The city has made replacement of the Playhouse its top priorityfor infrastructure.

Fredericton Mayor Brad Woodsidesays the city will need help if the project is to proceed.

"Let me be clear, my support for the Playhouse project is conditional on help from federal, provincial governments and the private sector," Woodside tweeted on the weekend.