I am a parent who rents an apartment on the North End of the Island. We visit Mercerdale Park at least three days a week. My family is incredibly excited by the vibrancy that a theatre space will add to this park. I imagine watching a performance at Youth Theatre Northwest, hanging out in the park after, and visiting one of the nearby small businesses for a bite to eat after that. Maybe even doing some shopping at the MITS afterwards, knowing that those funds go to support Youth and Family Services. These are things my family already does, but putting YTN in this location will mean that people who don't live on Mercer Island will also be putting money into these small businesses.