ECT celebrates new home for bust of founder Chataway

The Elora Community Theatre board of directors celebrated the arrival of the sculpture of the late Pat Chataway in its new home at the Elora Information Centre on June 24.

Honoured as Elora’s Citizen of the Year in 1992, Pat Chataway was the first president of the Elora Community Theatre and founder of the Elora Children’s Drama Club, which started in 1975.

For many years Chataway was an advocate for the preservation of the Grand Theatre in Fergus and for it to be recognized as a performing arts venue in the community.

Chataway was often seen at local sites in the late 1980s selling chocolate almonds to raise money to purchase the building.

She was ecstatic when in 1990, Hugh and Lorraine Drewbrook purchased the building and began restorations.

“This beautiful sculpture was created by the talented Beverley Cairns, another living treasure of Elora and Centre Wellington,” officials state.

The Fergus Grand Theatre is now owned and operated by the Township of Centre Wellington for the benefit of all residents and visitors.