Giving Harbour City Theatre a facelift with a new coat of paint was a labour of love for Sean Dooher.
Dooher, owner of Premier Home Care, said he attended several shows at the theatre before, but when his daughter Maya performed in Annie, presented by Kismet Theatre Academy, he noticed the exterior of the building didn’t reflect the great things happening inside.
“I thought holy heck, why isn’t anyone doing anything,” said Dooher. “The arts are so important and the government keeps taking money away … we have to keep the spirit alive.”
So he contacted the theatre society and Dooher and some of his employees spent five days revamping the theatre. The crew power-washed, primed and painted the exterior.
“I’m a little flabbergasted. It’s so amazing to have this opportunity for the theatre,” said Dean Chadwick, marketing coordinator and a founder of the Harbour City Theatre Alliance Society. “It affects the neighbourhood. It was amazing to see.”
Chadwick said this is another step residents and businesses are taking to establish ownership of the neighbourhood.
Once Dooher stepped up to paint the exterior, others came forward to help. Dooher approached Cloverdale Paint, which donated paint, and the owners of Coast Signs are creating a marquee sign. In total, about $4,500 in labour and supplies was donated. Dooher also plans to paint interior areas.
Harbour City Theatre is located at 25 Victoria Rd.
arts@nanaimobulletin.com
