DON’T UNWRAP BEFORE CHRISTMAS? AND OP’S ODD 125 BANNERS MAKE IT ‘BLACK FRIDAY’ EVERY WEEK IN ‘DULLSVILLE DOWNTOWN’ GH

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Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

GRAVENHURST — So much for weather forecasters, eh?

A year ago today winter came in like a lion.

No so much this weekend — yet — as predicted earlier in the week.

But it does look like we’re in for a total couple more weeks of snow (another prediction?) longer this season following snowfall this week and earlier this month. We’ll see in four to five months.

Meanwhile, thoughts of Christmas are still top of mind as usual.

Gift-buying and gift-wrapping are already underway.

The Opera House in Gravenhurst has a giant parcel parked out front soon to be torn open.

It may not be unveiled by Christmas, but what’s under it is intriguing.

Undercover operation. Santa’s elves busy building replica sign out front of Gravenhurst Opera House. Will it be ready for Christmas?
Sign said …. An arts events sign at the Opera House will reflect the inside happenings – in time for its 125th anniversary March 3. PHOTO Opera House

As the theatre prepares to go dark for a couple of months in the new year — due to a hefty $250,000 elevator replacement cost (can’t have concert-goers only using the steps till then?), workers are sheathed inside an orange plastic bubble hoarding toiling away hidden like Santa’s mysterious elves.

The work’s been underway off and on for months since the old, seemingly fine, sign was torn down.

A large new reveal will duplicate the exterior of the arts venue.

It’s expected to be done well before the Op’s big 125th anniversary celebration March 3,

Which downtown observers are reminded of with the recent erection of bland black banners.

Honestly, though, how sad is that at this time of year. C’mon.

It’s Black Friday every week in dullsville downtown Gravenhurst with unfestive banners. PHOTOS Mark Clairmont MuskokaTODAY.com

Not the idea of promoting it.

However, how can one festive event trump another so badly?

With Christmas just weeks away and core businesses competing with Bracebridge, Orillia and Amazon, why aren’t the banners at least more attractive?

“That’s Gravenhurst. Downtown dullsville — where it’s Black Friday every week.”

Lucky for the Op, they were paid for by $100 sponsors — hand up.

But those supporters were duped by the tiny type lettering buried at the base, which can barely be seen by pedestrians craning their necks on sidewalks below — let alone drivers passing by.

Despite our protests.

Going up? Going down? The elevator replacement January and February at the Op is expected to cost a quarter of a million dollars. It operates on four levels, basement, ground, theatre and stage.

GH budget blues

This as Gravenhurst’s council is finishing off its “Strong Mayor’s budget,” which unless late changes were made this week could result in another hefty 6.87 per cent overall tax hike.

A draft report predicts an impact of $72 per hundred dollars of assessment on urban residents and $60 for urban dwellers.

Another last call public meeting is scheduled for Dec. 9 before council votes.

See full draft budget link here.

Check it also for winter public works plans the next four months.

A little early to be shovelling off the roof, isn’t it? With this week’s snow and the 2025 dump a year ago today, who knows?

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