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Arts Council investigates cultural directory Not so long ago, a decade back, in fact, Laurel Creek could be said to resemble a real creek. It flowed through Waterloo, its banks covered in trees and grass, its waters full of fuh and ducks and great blue herons. While the fuh (once trout, now mostly carp and suckers) and ducks are still there, as time has marched on a new species has come to adorn the banks of the creek. Concrete is its name. It is not a species indigenous to the area. It was. in fact, introduced by the Grand River Concretization Authority, an organization once dedicated to preserv- ing the natural life in the Grand River watershed, but of late dedicated to pouring concrete (and its cousin, rocks in gabion wire mesh) on all the shores it can find. It pours them on the shores of the Grand River in Cambridge, along the Speed and Eramosa and Nith Rivers. And along poor defenceless Laurel Creek. In fact, in 1988, the GRCA spent $3 million on channelling local waters, and related works. _ The results are everywhere locally, but perhaps the most memorable section (for the creek as well as Waterloo citizens) is that area behind the city centre. The Concretization Authority is not the only villain in this story - they point to a long-ago request of a past city council to channel the creek in preparation for the CANCER RESEARCH It's time to put the conservation back RIDING FOR Isobel Lawson Chmnido Staff A dirpetory compiling informs: Though in the most infant of stages, the idea is being savored by the Waterloo Region Arts Council, and could get underway tion about' arts" and cultural groups and organizations in the Waterloo Region? What a novel idea! "it's been agreed by a number of us (on the council) that it would in about 18 months provided funding becomes available and a means of printing and distribut- ing is found, said Ruth Russell, arts council co-ordinator. so-called 100.year flood. But the story is not over. Some Waterloo citizens are fed up with this process. They intend to do whatever is necessary to stop those worshippers of concrete from laying a finger on the section of the creek from Erb to Weber Street. It's an area featuring beautiful black willow trees, birds, fish and animals. Children play along the banks of the creek, and it really is a wonderful and rare natural area within a city. It's not going to be an easy fight. The GRCA is completing a limited environmental assessment of that section of the creek. But it cites the need to channel in order to prepare for that oh-woterrible-toimagine flood that supposedly comes along once every century or so. Their computers told them they needed to channel this section. The city (in days before the FBator0Motr,tttattt9tstntprttotts-prtorttsthestartsttteamitoBeat m.mmusmmmn0mmmmmmmm fldfl'lltl'l “gmmémmwm'mumorssocyag' t . o rdumnoyflghWJMCuWCstdn-dynmmu 'ttMt/ttW-hier-tttem-ttttreport. The idea to develop a directory, which would act as a registry listing "participatory" and pro fouional arts and cultural groups, lessons, and activities was first touched on by the coun. cil about two years ago, said Russell. But it wasn't until this last month that the idea resur- faced and was re-examined by the arts council board. On two separate occasions the arts council was contacted by local people - a professor of Fine Arts at Wilfrid Laurier Univeris- ty and Brenda Martin of Waterloo be a worthwhile project," said Russell. City Seen Ian Kirkby "The kind of arts we would be focusing on are the participatory arts and of course we would list professional arts but there aren't that many," said Russell. "In my general thinking, it should be comprehensive. it shouldn't ex- clude anybody." Such a directory is necessary for two reasons, said Russell. First there is the practical application of helping people to identify and tap into activities which they are - both suggesting a directory be developed listing information and contacts for programs, clubs and organizations available to the public. _ . pp RIDE . Jtwi'i' t,ttiGifi ti environment was considered particularly Important agreed, _ - "There are areas (from Erb to Weber Streets! that do have to have some work done on them to achieve the objectives," says Ron Moulton, the GRCA manager of engineering. Mind you, tall concrete walls tsuch as exist hehmd the city centre) might not be necessary. he say: The GRCA is reasonable ,aher all Perhaps httle concrete walls or gabions will do. Moulton might be in for a surprise The (‘ltllPYlS who live in that area won't compromise - they want nothing done. Good for them. And my counullors sensitive to the environment and Citizens as never before in recent memory, are already making names Channelling is a joint process between the my and the GRCA, says Moulton. What that means Is the project can be stopped. Coun. Lynne Woolstencroft Monday asked a GRCA representative who was appearing before council (to give the annual conservar tion hype) how citizens could stop the protect. He said council could stop it. Moulton agrees, and notes the decision should come before council by summer, Residents who live along the creek have a message for council and for the Coneretization Authority. too let's put the Conservation back into the GRCA WATERLOO CHM. WV MAY 3, I“ - PAGE 3 This lack of awareness 15 par daily the result of the arts and culture community being frag mented by diverse needs and interests compared to sports groups which are "very “an organized .. Added Russell. "Of ten the mrsconceptmn on the part As well, Russell said, “A three wry is necessary from the pomt of view of making people and the government aware of how big and vital the ans and cultural com- munity really 15 because a lot of people don't realize that," interested in - from plant) les sons to wood working classes, New” {Conlmued on page ll;