Save the Culture Station and the Signal North Gallery!

Thank you for your efforts to keep the gallery open.

This is a start and at the very least a show of support from the Town to develop a cultural hub/art gallery. The amount of time and energy from the three core groups more than outweighs the subsidy from the Town and at the very least it shows a commitment of the Town to be a partner in the development of a cultural tourism strategy.

The station is a lovely building with a long history in Huntsville. The arts have been shuffled from place to place in Huntsville and often just ignored. It would be wonderful to see the station continue to attract people to our train station.

A lot of community effort has gone into saving the train station and making it an artistic hub. If better promoted, I think the station could cover its costs and be a tourism asset for Huntsville.

I support the Cultural Station to remain as is: promoting the arts and the preservation of an historical site in Huntsville.

I feel Huntsville should keep this historcial heritage site for public education and inspiring arts current and upcoming. My suggestion would be better signage for the heritage train station and Huntsville Art Gallery and not just a billboard at entrance. Promoting the location for what it has to offer both historically and educationally. Maybe consider having a donation entrance to help with cost. Food for thought! Connie Zator

The region of Muskoka is well known for its art and creativity. Here is a great opportunity to feature Huntsville as doing something else creative by using a historic site for art and history combined. It could add one more drawing card for both tourism and locals to enjoy emerging and established talent. Give it a good chance to succeed and everyone benefits!

Preserve this space for Artists and history.

I'm still hoping we'll get a passenger train back ! ??

Why is it that Arts and Culture are usually the first on the chopping block? The many benefits of the Arts have been proven time and again. And heritage is embedded in the very foundation of the communities we serve. How does a community develop a future without forsaking the past? The Station successfully provides both to Huntsville. Respectfully, Councillors, resolve to find the means to support and maintain this continuing legacy of historical, artistic and cultural importance unique to your community of Huntsville.

Arts and culture are the centre of a community. The train station is a treasure and ideal art gallery. Having participated in a successful art exhibit at Signal North Gallery I know how pleased the locals as well tourist were with the venue. Much interest in the art and the train station! Keep your agreement. Selling it might a short term benefit but it would be a everlasting loss!

Keep the train station. It's a cultural treasure. The public worked hard to restore it and maintain it...

What more needs to be said than the attached quote from the Petition request note: "The Culture Station in Huntsville is host to The Suzuki School of Music, as well as three local Heritage groups, one visual arts group, and The Signal North Gallery. The Town of Huntsville agreed to a 5 year lease of $1 to the Heritage and Arts group In partnership with the Huntsville Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce, but one year later are planning to raise that rent to close to 10,000, OR to sell off the heritage building, leaving these groups homeless." Doing anything less is ludicrous, not responsible to the town, heritage and your own initial promise. So what is the issue - there doesn't seem to be one!!!!!

There shouldn't even be any question about it! Of course it should be preserved! - And ditto, re the train service itself!

I know how hard many people worked to preserve the Huntsville train station. It should be preserved. We are too quick to destroy our heritage and the arts are a huge contributor to the community, deserving support. Your commitment needs to be honoured. What has happened to "giving your word" and that being as good as any contract?

Arts and culture are the heart of a community, save this centre!

Dear Councillors, Arts and Culture is what makes a community more dynamic and appealing for tourists too. Artists already struggle to make ends meet. You offered them this space on agreement, now stick to your word!

In addition to supporting the arts and volunteer organizations such as those involved, Huntsville needs to keep promises it makes. A promise results in actions and investments and to pull the rug out after folks have taken steps based on the original promise, is unfair and renders the town governors unreliable. Huntsville needs to keep its word.

It's already a shame that passenger train service was cancelled at this station .... Let's at least keep the building open to the public!!! I agree that we should maintain historical preservation!

Beautiful location, historic building; what better spot to display local works of art? Let's work to find a solution.