Art Gallery & Museum Push For 2014 Referendum

Written by Peter McIntyre  107.5 KISSFM Thursday, 08 August 2013 12:45 

Pictured: Design of new Vernon Public Art Gallery

Greater Vernon residents could be going to the polls next year to vote on upgraded cultural facilities.Reps from the Vernon Public Art Gallery and Greater Vernon Museum have asked the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee to work with them to hold a referendum in the spring of 2014. Art Gallery president Andrew Powell told the committee, they are proposing a cultural campus for Greater Vernon. "It's an idea that's been trotted out before in various variations and we think it's a great concept. We're prepared to advance with it as a phased program over a period of many years. The gallery and museum are content with the sites proposed for them already. We support each other in these, and we're here again to ask for your support," said Powell. Powell asked the committee to "assist them in their goal", to allocate staff resources, similiar to what was done with the Okanagan College sports facility. "We're not even specifically asking for a referendum here. What we're asking for really is your attention and your help." Powell says culture makes a community thrive which is what he wants for Greater Vernon. "At the moment, it's ability to thrive is being stunted by the lack of adequate facilities." Rob Tupper, a director with the Greater Vernon Museum and Archives board, says they support the cultural hub concept after discussions with gallery officials. "The proximity of the two locations and the opportunity to be joined by public open spaces and walkways turned out to be an exciting prospect for our expanded facility goals." The art gallery's executive director Dauna Kennedy Grant says it's not known if both facilities would be put to voters in the same question or separate. "That's part of why we're looking for staff input so that we can really look at the options, analyze them, and figure out what is the best approach to take. We haven't made a decision on whether it's one or two questions," Kennedy Grant tells Kiss FM. She says holding a vote next spring instead of in conjunction with the November 2014 municipal elections, would highlight cultural services, and not "cloud them with other election issues."   A new 6 million dollar art gallery is being pitched for a city owned site on 31st Ave next to Cenotaph Park, while the museum would expand on its current site in the city complex on 32nd Ave, with costs still being determined. The GVAC board passed a motion to get staff to prepare a report for their September meeting on timelines, resources and costs for a possible spring referendum. "I'm encouraged to see the museum and art gallery working together on this," said GVAC chair Mike Macnabb. Kennedy Grant said they would consider picking up some of the costs of the referendum when asked by director Gyula Kiss. "We're planning to run a marketing campaign, and however we can, we will be contributing to make it successful," she said.