The chairman of the Weyburn Performing Arts Centre Corporation would like to see 200 members and two major fund-raisers held in the coming year, members heard at the group's annual meeting on Monday night.

Dave Craigen, re-elected to head up the committee working to build a performing arts centre at the Weyburn Comprehensive School, laid out his goals for the group for 2000 after summarizing their achievements of the past year, at their first-ever annual meeting held in the Allie Griffin auditorium.

Among the goals he would like to reach this year, Craigen would like to hold a meeting with MLA Brenda Bakken to update her on where the project is at; a membership roll of 200; two major fund-raisers held this year; the operating agreement with the Weyburn Comprehensive School board finalized; and the group's sponsorship package printed and distributed.

A special membership drive may be needed to reach the goal of 200, he said, while noting the operating agreement is very close to being done, with a few extra things brought up by the school board that the performing arts centre group will need to look at.

The next event to come up for the group is the Millennium Family Fest on Friday, Dec. 31, a no-alcohol family event at the Weyburn Comprehensive School. The proceeds will go to the performing arts centre corporation, with volunteers from the group and from Weyburn Tourism helping to stage the event. There will be games and activities indoors along with a bonfire, hot dogs and hot chocolate outside, and a small fireworks display at midnight.

An audited financial statement of the past year was presented by treasurer Gloria Onstad, for the fiscal year which ended on Sept. 30, prior to the major fowl supper fund-raiser held on Thanksgiving weekend. The net revenue as of Sept. 30 was $4,912, and as of Nov. 30 the total amount was $7,822, said Onstad.

All the documents about the fowl supper is now in the hands of the Guinness Book of World Records organization, said Craigen, telling the group he had received notice from them earlier on Monday they now have the package. The group is hoping to earn the designation of the world's biggest fowl supper, which would be a new category if granted.

"If we're granted the record, we should be prepared to defend it at some future date," said Craigen.

The supper involved almost every service club or group in Weyburn and area, and saw more then 1,700 eat a turkey dinner and hear entertainment by the Barra MacNeils and Squeeze of Scotch.

As an organization, two major milestones were reached in the past year, said Craigen, as first they received papers of incorporation in July, and received a charitable number status from Revenue Canada as of Oct. 1, just prior to the fowl supper.

Efforts to lobby government for grant support will continue in the new year, as Craigen said meetings have been held with provincial officials with more to come, particularly with Municipal Government Minister Clay Serby.

The efforts to reach the federal government have been far less successful, added Craigen, calling the lack of any interest from Ottawa the only disappointment of the past year. A very brief meeting was held with Ralph Goodale when he was here for the Saskatchewan Oil and Gas Show, while an invitation to Heritage Minister Sheila Copps to attend the fowl supper was declined.

Overall, said Craigen, "technically we're now one year behind; but based on other groups' experiences, we're right on target."

In the election of officers, all current members agreed to let their names stand with the exception of Isabelle Butters, who has been a member of the group since its formation two years ago as the media chairperson.

Marg Stewart remains as the co-chair, Gloria Onstad as treasurer, Marlene Nedelcov as secretary, Ray Hamm as the school liaison committee head, Bob King in charge of the design committee and Linda Aitken in charge of fund-raising. The board will fill the vacancy left by Butters at a future date.