The closing of the Niantic Cinema is indeed a sign of changing times in the entertainment industry, but it also provides a great opportunity for East Lyme. (“Niantic Cinema closes permanently,” Dec. 5).

It can further this beautiful shoreline village to establish itself as another attractive coastal town welcoming locals and visitors to enjoy a vibrant shopping and arts district.

Just as Old Saybrook has The Kate, and Westerly its United Theatre, the Niantic Cinema site could be transformed into the East Lyme Performing Arts Center (ELPAC). ELPAC could be home of East Lyme Regional Theatre (ELRT), a 501(c)(3) whose first-class productions are worthy of a permanent home. ELRT Artistic Director and Emmy Award-winning East Lyme resident Erin Sousa Stanley would be an ideal Executive Director of ELPAC.

Local musicians would gladly have a new venue to showcase their talent as would stand-up comedians. Adding films of interest such as those featured in the Mystic Film Festival, The International Ocean Film Festival (recently held at the Mystic Aquarium) along with environmental films from Stonington-based distributor Green Planet Films would also add to the mix as would a gallery to exhibit the work of local visual artists.

Christopher Donohue

Westerly