Community Foundation grant helps North Frontenac Little Theatre adapt

Jeff Green | Feb 03, 2021

Sometimes the worst timing can be the best timing. North Frontenac Little Theatre (NFLT) has been going through a very public split with its long-standing partner, the Limestone District School Board.

The Little Theatre was founded by teachers from local schools. Most of the names on playbills from NFLT productions in the 1980's and 1990's, and into the new millennium, are filled with names of teachers and administrators with the Limestone Board and its predecessor, the Frontenac Board of Education. Actors, directors, and executive members alike, worked at the school board. The home of the NFLT was Sharbot Lake High School, and when it came time to build a new school, the relationship between the new school and the NFLT was front and centre when Board officials came to public meetings with parents and Central Frontenac Township.

That relationship has soured since Granite Ridge Education Centre opened its doors in 2014, mainly because of board policy towards community use and user fees that were charged to NFLT.

The split became final when NFLT removed its lights from Granite Ridge just under a year ago. NFLT made a deal with Central Frontenac to use the OSO Hall in Sharbot Lake for its future productions. They were hoping to start putting up plays in 2020.

Of course, a few weeks after the lights were removed, on February 19, 2020, plans for live productions went on hold when COVID-19 restrictions were imposed. The hall has remained closed ever since.

But the closure has given the township of Central Frontenac and the Little Theatre a chance to work improving the hall, for the theatre productions and other uses. The ceiling has been removed, and insulation and a new, higher ceiling are being installed. At the same time, the NFLT lights are going in.

But putting in the lights is not cheap, because it requires a new electrical panel, and dozens of outlets and a lot of wiring need to be put in as well.

“This caused a problem for us because we have no productions running, and therefore no revenue, and we do not have the reserves to cover those costs,” said NFLT President Jeff Siamon.

So the NFLT applied for funding from a source they have gone to in the past, the Community Foundation for Kingston and Area.

With Central Frontenac Township providing support, as a partner in the application, a $14,500 grant was awarded to help NFLT settle into the OSO Hall.

Last Thursday (January 28), a cheque was presented to Central Frontenac Mayor Frances Smith, to cover electrical and other costs associated with the NFLT use of the Hall.

“Of course, we don't know when productions will start up, likely not in 2021, but we are working with the township to make sure we have a good, intimate space for 50-100 spectators,” said Siamon.

The hall has a very small stage, so the possibility of purchasing risers to extend the stage, a sound system, and perhaps even small, fold up bleachers, are all being considered for the future.

“For now, we are happy to get the lights in, and the fact that the township was already working on the ceiling made it an ideal time for that. I don't know how we would have done with the Community Foundation funding, however,” said Siamon.

“We are looking forward to a long, steady relationship with NFLT,” said Mayor Frances Smith, “and for them to bring the lights and the funding to install them, with them, for the use of the township and everyone who uses the hall, is a benefit for Central Frontenac.”