Cultural centre cash call coming
Darren Handschuh - Jun 19, 2019 - Biz Releases

Image: Contributed

The people said they wanted it. Now officials just have to come up with the money to build it.

Greater Vernon residents agreed last October to borrow up to $25 million for a cultural centre, but completion of the $40 million project will depend on government grants and fundraising.

So senior government is being lobbied to support a new cultural centre that would house the museum and art gallery.

The Regional District of North Okanagan’s Greater Vernon Advisory Committee hopes to meet with arts and culture minister Lisa Beare about grants to construct the multi-purpose facility.

“If you don’t ask (for funds), you don’t get,” GVAC chairperson Akbal Mund said.

It’s hoped a meeting with Beare could occur within the next month, and her awareness of the community’s desire for a cultural centre will result in provincial support.

“Face to face is critical,” Vernon director Victor Cumming said of establishing relationships with senior government.

Representatives from the Vernon Public Art Gallery recently went to Ottawa to pursue federal grant opportunities for the centre.

And while officials look for the money to build the facility, work is carrying on behind the scenes.

The RDNO will hire a project manager to support and organize the work associated with the business plan development and the project moving forward.

“This will start to connect the consultants,” RDNO’s community services manager Tannis Nelson said.

GVAC supports the current planning approach, but there are some questions about the process.

“What I’m looking for is a timeline. Where do we need to be? Are we behind or are we proceeding?” Mund said.

Cumming believes there is a need to look at the square footage for the building and the construction cost per square foot.

“We don’t know the difference between what people will pay for and what’s on a Christmas list,” he said. “I would encourage us to be really flexible as we move forward.”

– with files from Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce


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