(Mike McDonald Who Started Facebook Page To Save Paramount Theatre)
(Photo by Brian McLain)
A big turnout and lots of ideas were floated about what can be done with the Paramount Theatre in King’s Square which has been vacant since 2005.
Mike McDonald has been described as the lightning rod behind saving the building. He started up a Facebook page which now has more than 5 thousand members dedicated to restoration. McDonald says Saint John can’t afford not to save it.
There were several ideas proposed including a multicultural, multi purpose venue to showcase community talent, offer independent and foreign films and as a place for performances you wouldn’t see at the Imperial Theatre. McDonald there is a massive independent music market out there that’s not being tapped.
The meeting was told the purchase price is half a million dollars or so and then several million more would be needed for turning restoration. The building, though, is structurally sound and the seats that remain are in good shape.
