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With public attention focused on the faltering economy and its impact on business, industry. and labour, develop- ments in Canada's cultural life may escape notice this year. In fact, 1982 should prove-to be a pivotal year for the Canadian arts community. The Canadian arts world is eagerly anticipating the release. this fall, of the Federal Cultural Review Committee report, (the Applebaum- Hebert Commission), and changes are occurring on several fronts in Canada‘s "creative" sector. Taira but culturil and uniniic en- deavours. but had given our communica- “on industrie! a 'ttot-in-the-ttrm. During this year alone. the federal government has made a $185 million commitment to build a new National Gallery and Museum of Man; is actively reviewing, its broadcasting and copyright policies; and is scheduled to announce new directors for both the National Gallery and the National Ballet of Canada. The Canada Council is celebrating its 25th anniversary " our nation‘s principal arts granting institution. This year's approval of pay T.V. in Canada has also raised new “nations about the quality and Perma- Shortly after the turn of the century, the hotel was again sold in 1905 to Mark Lewis, owner of a laundry business in Berlin. Although he had no previous experience in the hotel business, Lewis appears to have been successful in this venture. In an article written in 1912. the hotel is described as "the finest in Waterloo County, finished throughout in quarter-cut oak and beau- tifully furnished with a view to comfort and ease." Although the exact date is unknown. Bowman House was sold in the 18703 to H. Zimmerman and was known as Zimmer- man House until 1905. During this period, a fire destroyed the original structure in the late 18805 and it was subsequently replaced by the present three-storey Victorian-style building in 1890. An addition was later constructed behind the hotel along Erb Street and remains today as the oldest part of the hotel. Behind this was the livery stable located on the present site of the Waterloo Music Co.) where visitors to the hotel could leave their horses for the night. When the property was sold by Lewis in the 19205. it was used briefly as a meeting place by the Waterloo Club Ltd.. a men's The original building, constructed of brick overlaid with stucco, although much smaller than today's three-storey Waterloo house, must have been an imposing pres- ence on King Street in Waterloo. then a dirt track with a few scattered buildings. The hotel was not only a ieoiirmunity centre for the residents of the village. According to a manuscript by Clayton Wells, which was published by the Waterloo Historical Society in 1928. the village council in Waterloo often held their regular meet- ings at the Bowman House rather than in the drafty town hall. The Bowman House (now the Waterloo House). was built in 1840 by Henry Bowman at the corner of King and Erb Streets. It was Waterloo's first hotel and remains the oldest existing hotel in the Waterloo magi. , Long before Waterloo became a village in 1857 hotels served not only as a place for visitors to spend the night, but also as a community centre where residents could gather to share the latest news, and discuss the weather or the day's happenings with their friends over a pint of beer. ' Council preferred Bowman House " to 'drafty' town hall meetings: _ WALTER McLEAN Reflecfion: 2f Waterléo Criticism, has already been levelled at the government forjumping the gun on the Applebaum-Hebert Commission with the announcement of new initiatives in arts policy prior to the publication of the Commission‘s recommendations. The gov- ernment and Canada Post Corporation have also been taken to task for their refusal to assist struggling cultural, volun- tary, and non-profit organizations. These groups are beset with their sky-rocketing costs brought on by ittfUtioet, high interest rates and rising postal rates. The Canada Council has had a signifi- cant impact on the public acceptance of and appreciation for our Canadian artistic talent and achievements. The Council has Difmmlt economic times have forced Canadian artists to be watchful. of course. for new developments in the arts policy of a government plagued by inflation and unemployment. As a member of the House of Commons Communications and Culture Committee. I have listened repeatedly to the concern of Canadian artists that the existing high standards which character- ize Canadian artistic activities may suffer as a result of government expediency and 'public relations' plans. But any future changes to the hotel, Huston emphasizes, will hinge not only on their own finances, but also on the economic situation in general. "I think that things that are architec- turally significant should be kept," he said. "We'd like to wait until we get enough money to do it the way we want it." _ The third floor. which was usually re- served for the less expensive rooms in the hotel was in very poor shape at the time of purchase, and was closed off to cut down on expenses, explained Huston. Only the four- teen rooms on the second floor are now rented out to visitors. Since they bought the hotel in 1978. Long and Huston have spent in excess of $250,000 on renovations, both to the exterior and the interior of the building. Other plans include the restoration of the entrances of the hotel to their original state. Huston and Long are also considering reopening the unused third floor of the building. perhaps making it over into student accommodation. "We like the idea of having something of historical significance and being able to preserve it," reflected Huston of his owner- ship of the hotel. The business remained in the Chadder family for over 40 years until it was purchased in 1978 by its present owners Stan Huston, formerly of London. and Kerry Long, a local resident. At that time. the hotel was renamed the Waterloo House. Included in the renovations were the sandblasting of the exterior brick, installa- tion of an air-conditioning system. extensive rewiring and restoration of a former men's beverage room, now a bar known as Taps. The kitchen was rebuilt and the dining room, which had been used on a limited basis only, is now operated lull-time " Ivy's Restaurant. social club. The building reverted back to its original use when it was bought by Stanley Chadder in 1935 and renamed the Hotel Wa- terloo. The partners are also planning other projects to restore or preserve the old building. Renovations will start in the near future on a third bar in the hotel basement which Huston expects will be ready for business later this fall. Pivotal year for arts Ma. Williams says that the K-W Region is panlcuhrly blessed with a “strong community of amateur artists". and the mew Centre ' the Squaw has provided a . Recently, the Canadian Chamber En- semble. a core group from the K-W Symphony Orchestra. received a Council grant of $23,000 to assist with a (all tour of western Canada. Cathy Williams, acting executive director of the Waterloo Region- al Arts Council, says in the local council’s year and a hall existence, she has sensed growing public support for the arts in the Waterloo region. The Arts Council has been particularly effective as a voluntary coordinating service for local artistic events. It now boasts a membership of 192 individuals and groups. show-place tor Whoa] evisnts which has boosted public interest. and Slain. director of the K-W Art Gallery says the legitimized the arts in Canada. It has encouraged talented young Canadians to consider careers in the arts, which pre- viously would have been considered im- possible and unrealistic. The Council has also set an example for other levels of government. which now lend their support to the arts. The Bowman Home in the above photo was constructed in 1840. The original structure was destroyed by a fire in the 1880. to be replaced in 1890 by the three-storey Victorian building, shown in the lower photo. NAM ME. MY. mo. "e--PME , PAT ARBUCKLE All of us who enjoy the works of drama, art. and music offered in our local theatres. universities, and galleries know the value of art both personally and as a regional or national symbol The achieve ments of mm Armenian - iN Symphony Conductor; Nancy Lott Patterson - Liturgi- cal Arts. University of Waterloo; Victor Martins _ Singer, Music Department ot Wilfrid Laurier University; Peter Etril Snyder - Artist, Waterloo County; and Anne Roberts - Pottery, Fine Arts - Finance Dept., University of Waterloo may not add up in dollars and cents. or in many jobs for Canadians, but they have a lot to say about Canada as a nation willing to support and defend individual creativity and freedom of expression. Ultimately it is in our art that others see a reflection of our national spirit and pride. in a recent interview in Ottawa, Com, munlcations Minister Francis Fox pledged that Canada‘s cultural life will not suffer as a result of government austerity. Canadian artists will be anxiously await- Ing pron! of that commitment. gailery's attendance has more than dow. bled since it moved to its new space adjoining the Centre. _ "---