St John's museum at old Opera House site? (1)

I have been following the debate on the proposed extension/excavations for the enlargement of St John's Co-Cathedral Museum. It would appear that everybody and his uncle is against these works, so may I make a suggestion?

Why not build a museum on the site of the old Opera House? Let's be honest, there is not much chance of the site being used for its original purpose as it would probably become a drain on public funds.

There is no reason, however, why the outside cannot be built to the same design as that of the old Opera House and the inside turned into a three-storey building that will more than house the treasures from St John's?

There is also the fact that visitors to the co-cathedral would only have to walk along Zachary Street to reach the new building, which will be closed to St John's Cavalier to which visitors to the museum can also be directed.

I know I have possibly stirred a hornet's nest, as I am sure there would be lots of letters from opera buffs up in arms about this suggestion. But let's get real. We cannot afford to sustain an opera house without massive funding. We can always use the Manoel Theatre or the Mediterranean Conference Centre for that purpose.

Having said that, I would like to refer to a letter I wrote on entrance fees charged to Maltese taxpayers (May 31). I still object most strongly to having to pay to visit part of my heritage, when I have already been paying for this through the tax I have paid, part of which goes to subsidise the St John's Co-Cathedral Foundation.