It has come to my attention that the Auburn City Council has voted to raze the Great Falls Arts Center, rendering the Lewiston-Auburn Community Little Theater homeless after 70 years of providing incredible theater to Auburn and surrounding communities.

Although we moved from Maine (Gray) to New Hampshire nine years ago, we continue to hold season tickets to this wonderful theater group. We occasionally take in shows in Boston and NYC and I was expecting amateur theater at LACLT, but was amazed by its talent and professionalism.

I am appalled that the city council has voted to deny the Androscoggin Valley area of this fantastic and affordable means of enjoying the arts, which provides not only great performances for the public, but also incredible opportunities for those of all ages to be involved in all areas of theatrical production — acting, singing, choreography, set and costume design and construction, etc.

I feel certain that those who voted to raze this treasure have never attended a single LACLT performance and, therefore, have no appreciation for the quality productions being offered.

If they had been compelled to attend just one performance before making this decision, I expect the resulting vote would have been very different.

The importance of the arts in our culture cannot be overstated. I beg the city councilors that, even if they have no appreciation for the arts themselves, please don’t perpetrate this travesty on those who do.

Diane M. Chase, Manchester, N.H.