Two Sites Considered For Complex

Vernon, BC, Canada / 1075 Beach Radio Vernon Pete McIntyre May 25, 2018 03:30 pm

The chair of the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee says it’s basically down to two sites for a proposed new cultural complex. Plans for the 40 million dollar multi purpose facility were unveiled this week by the Regional District of North Okanagan. Juliette Cunningham says the former Coldstream Hotel parking lot on 32nd Avenue and 29th Street, and the Civic Arena site are the preferred locations. She says both are owned by the city of Vernon. “We’ve sent a letter to the city, asking for them to confirm the site they would prefer to give up for the project,” Cunningham tells Beach Radio News. Cunningham says another possible site, the former Flower Shop on 31st Avenue, is not practical. “The configuration of that is not practical. It’s kind of a small piece that jots out towards 32nd Avenue, so it’s just awkward layout of a site.” Cunningham says they are working towards a joint facility, with also some space for community groups. “Basically it could be used for smaller events. That’s what we found when we did the cultural master plan was the need for a venue like that because the Performing Arts Centre is too big for some of the groups.” She says they are trying to organize a referendum for this October, on borrowing 25 million dollars for the 40 million dollar project. “Probably by the end of June we’ll have an idea is that’s feasible or not. We would like to do that because it’s quite cost effective.”

New Vernon art gallery and museum given $40M price tag

May 23, 2018 - 12:48 PM Infotel News.Ca
VERNON - The cost of a new cultural centre for Vernon’s museum and art gallery would cost an estimated $40 million. The new facility has been in the works for years and would be built somewhere in Vernon’s city centre. Today, the Regional District of North Okanagan released a preliminary funding strategy for the building. With a proposed facility size of 58,000 square feet, the total project budget is pegged at $40 million with construction starting in 2020. The preliminary funding strategy approved by the Board of Directors proposes using project timing to moderate the tax impact on Greater Vernon residents, states the release. The Regional District has agreed to go to referendum for up to $25 million for the project, which is $1.2 million more than the $23.8 million in debt that will come off of the books from the construction of Kal Tire Place and the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre by 2022, the district says. “By timing this project with the elimination of the debt from Kal Tire Place and the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre, we can aim to complete this amazing community project while minimizing the impact on taxpayers,” board chair Bob Fleming says in the release. Within the $40 million budget is $3.34 million for pre-construction and project management costs, $29.38 million for construction, $5.78 million for construction contingency and $1.5 million for a land purchase contingency.

“The Greater Vernon cultural facility will be more than a community asset,” Juliette Cunningham, chair of the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee says. “It will be an investment in our city. A cultural destination like this will draw people downtown. When more people are downtown people feel safer, restaurants and businesses are busier, and we see a greater economic benefit to our region.” While the ability to borrow will need to be approved through referendum, the district hopes that approval of the funding strategy will provide the community with the confidence to begin fundraising efforts for the project. The funding strategy for the project, which has been approved in principle, is subject to the selection of the site and finalization of the project budget, the district says. It is proposed that the project funding be made up of $25 million from regional district borrowing, $6 million from infrastructure grants, $5 million through partnership contributions, and $4 million through fundraising and donations. “The regional district is now working with the community partners and the City of Vernon to evaluate sites for the facility. Once a site has been selected, the preliminary concept plan and budget can be adjusted for the site and taken out for public consultation, and a timeline for the project, including all funding requirements, can be developed,” the district says.

107.5 BEACH RADIO Vernon Poll

http://www.beachradiovernon.ca/
Results as at 2 PM
Where do you think a new combined Vernon Art Gallery and Museum should go?
Vernon Flower Shop site (6)
Coldstream Hotel Site (12)
Civic Arena land (27)
Polson Park (3)

Plans For Cultural Facility Outlined

Vernon, BC, Canada / 1075 Beach Radio Vernon Pete McIntyre January 24, 2018 04:12 pm
A consulting team has outlined the general features for a multi-purpose cultural facility for Greater Vernon. Diamond Schmidt Architects is recommending a 57-thousand square foot space, to house an art galley, museum and other public space. Greater Vernon Advisory chair Juliette Cunningham says the study has shown the groups can share a facility — and benefit from it. “It creates bigger opportunities for reaching a greater audience, so that’s really positive. The evidence shows that happens. The attendance for both the co-located organizations really goes up dramatically,” Cunningham told Beach Radio News following a special GVAC meeting at the Okanagan Regional Library, due to ongoing renovations at the RDNO office.Cunningham says there’s also plans for common space for other organizations. “We’ve heard there is a need for a smaller space. Music groups, dance groups, whatever, where they need 250 to 300 seats. That kind of thing, and that’s a model that’s been used across the country.”

The study mentions four publicly-owned sites to consider: the Vernon Flower Shop, Coldstream Hotel site, Polson Park, and the Civic Arena land. Detailed cost estimates for those sites will be among the next steps. The committee hasn’t ruled out considering private sites, but one of the consultants said those can be challenging as they may not be available for long, due to the hot real estate market. The executive director of the Vernon Art Gallery likes the general program for a proposed new cultural facility.Dauna Kennedy-Grant says it’s been a positive process. “They’ve met with all of the stakeholders, in terms of what we need for programming space, and they’ve taken all that and kind of combined it to see what needs to be dedicated space, and what needs to be shared space,” says Kennedy Grant. Kennedy-Grant says they like the look of the plan. “It’s probably doubling the art gallery space (from current), probably doubling the museum space. That’s what we’re looking at, but some of the services, we will be able to share. Back of house services and stuff like that.” GVAC and RDNO officials hope to have enough information in place to hold a referendum on a cultural facility during this October’s municipal elections.

Click here for more on the cultural facility plan.
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Also see  https://www.vernonmorningstar.com/news/four-sites-eyed-for-new-vernon-cultural-facility/

Multi-Purpose Cultural Facility

GREATER VERNON ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Okanagan Regional Library - Main Meeting Room

2800 30 Avenue, Vernon, BC

10:30 a.m.

Greater Vernon Multi-Purpose Cultural Facility          Presentation by Diamond Schmitt Architects Consulting Team          Greater Vernon Multi-Purpose Cultural Facility Plan - Draft

New Cultural Centre For Vernon A Step Closer

Vernon, BC, Canada / 1075 KISS FM Tom Mark August 21, 2017 06:42 am
RDNO staff are being directed to begin the process of preparing a Request for Proposal for for a consultant study on a new multi-purpose cultural facility for Vernon. Board Chair Bob Fleming says the board approved the first two phases of study. “It’s an odd term, but we’re calling it a ‘right-sizing. So we’re looking at what could be in the facility. Obviously the two main anchors being looked at are the museum and the art gallery. But they are also looking at multi-use space.” Fleming says they’ve also looked at other facilities. “In the report, there was a comparison to communities that have facilities relatively recently built and what sizes have been constructed in other communities. The types of facilities.” One hundred thousand dollars has been set aside for the process, including the eventual design. The consultant will also look at possible locations. “What are the best places? What are the upsides and what are the downsides to any one location? You know, obviously access, parking, proximity to other services.” The third phase would be the actual design. It all has to be approved by the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee.

Cultural process proceeds

RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Thu Jul 20th, 2017 6:00pmNEWS

Greater Vernon residents may get a chance next year to vote on the future of cultural amenities.On Thursday, the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee initiated a request for proposals to design and plan a multi-use cultural facility.“We will start working on the location and viability of mixed space,” said Juliette Cunningham, chairperson.Depending on how the process unfolds, a borrowing referendum for construction may be held by November 2018.“Ultimately, it will be the taxpayers that decide,” said Cunningham.

The Greater Vernon Museum would like a new facility from 23,0000 to 30,000-square-feet in size while the Vernon Public Art Gallery has stated 18,000-square-feet is needed for programming, exhibitions and storage.It has previously been suggested that the cost could be about $35 million, but the preliminary design and planning process would identify a more concrete price tag. A new art gallery was formerly targeted for the old flower shop site on 31st Avenue while it was previously proposed that the museum be expanded, but Cunningham says GVAC has no preconceived notions about location.“We want a comprehensive analysis on where it could be located,” she said, adding that while the issue of cultural facilities has been around for years, she is confident action is being taken. “I get the sense that there is political will to address it in a meaningful way.”
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http://www.rdno.ca/agendas/131205_gvac_agn.pdf   p.33-221
http://vernonblog.blogspot.ca/2013/12/gvac-agenda-thursday-dec-5-8-am.html

Multi-use Cultural Facility – Preliminary Design and Planning RFP

GREATER VERNON ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
Thursday, July 20, 2017 Boardroom - 9848 Aberdeen Road, Coldstream, BC 9:00 a.m.

Multi-use Cultural Facility – Preliminary Design and Planning RFP
Staff reported dated June 14, 2017

RECOMMENDATION 2 Page 2 - 10

That it be recommended to the Board of Directors, staff be directed to issue the RFP #2017-P12 – Greater Vernon Multi-Purpose Cultural Facility Functional Program, Site Analysis and Conceptual Design, as included in the staff report dated June 14, 2017.
170614_RPT_GVAC_MPCF_Workplan

Cultural Facility Reserve Debated Vernon

1075 KISS FM Pete McIntyre January 26, 2017 05:35 pm
Local politicians are talking about the idea for a cultural facility reserve fund. Greater Vernon Advisory Chair Juliette Cunningham says staff is suggesting 187 thousand dollars be used for a future new facility. “So it’s just a matter of deciding so you take it out of a reserve or do you take it out of taxation I guess. That will be the next thing we have to answer as a committee,” says Cunningham. However, Director Bob Spiers is concerned taxpayers money would be put away to build a possible new facility, rather than maintain existing ones. “You don’t tax people now to put money away I guess for the capital costs of an art gallery and museum. That’s what those two are for,” says Spiers. Other directors like Jim Garlick and Doug Dirk had concerns with putting money into a reserve fund for a new facility. However, Cunningham says as part of the new cultural plan, the committee agreed to look at a facility reserve. Director Jim Garlick suggested its important to start looking at possible sites for a new facility, some of which the regional district may already own. The discussion came during debate of the 2017 Greater Vernon Parks, Recreation and Culture budget which will need more discussion before its approved.

Museum fire probed

Kate Bouey - CASTANET Sep 9, 2016 / 12:19 pm |
An early morning fire behind the Greater Vernon Museum and Archives has been labelled as suspicious, confirms fire investigator Lawrie Skolrood.The RCMP are now involved in the case, said Skolrood.Officers were at the scene Friday morning, guarding the evidence while the investigation continued. Meanwhile, museum officials have expressed relief that no items were damaged by the blaze which raged just behind the building. "Nothing inside has been affected at all, really, so that's really lucky,” said archivist Barb Bell, who had rushed down to the scene in the dark after word of the fire to inspect the damage. "It's all related to history, Vernon's history, so it is irreplaceable." "We're just really lucky that the valuable contents of the museum and the collections of the community are safe," said Tracy Satin, executive director. The cause of a fire in roofing materials behind the Greater Vernon Museum and Archives is under investigation. Vernon Fire Rescue responded to a report of a fire around 2:30 a.m. Friday, said deputy fire chief Jack Blair. “While they were sizing up the area, they found flames behind the building,” said Blair. “It appeared to be in a porta potty and roofing materials.” The museum is currently being re-roofed. Firefighters wore full protective gear, including breathing apparatus, because there was thick, black smoke caused by burning plastics, Blair said. “It is under investigation,” said Blair. “An investigator will be there this morning to look into the cause.”
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New Curator Hired For Museum

Posted on 8/10/2016 11:33 AM by Pete McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM
The Greater Vernon Museum and Archives has hired a new Director/Curator. "We have hired Tracy Satin, who despite the fact we got applications from all over Canada, Tracy lives in Kelowna, so she is close at hand, and she stood head and shoulders above all the other applications," interim curator Ken Mather tells Kiss FM. Satin will be taking over her management duties August 15th. Mather has been filling in at the position since long time curator Ron Candy retired in April. Satin has held numerous jobs over the past 20 years in the museum sector, most recently with the Westbank First Nation's museum. Satin has an MA from the University of Alberta and a Diploma in Collections Management from Sir Sanford Fleming College. "After working as an Assistant Curator at the University of Alberta Classics Museum, she spent three summers doing archaeological excavations in Ossia, Italy, before working as a Conservator at the Scugog Shores Historical Museum in Port Perry, Ontario," reads a media release from the museum. "She then became a Conservation Intern at the International Centre for the study of Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property in Rome and a Conservation Consultant at the Keats-Shelley Memorial House in Rome. She furthered her development in the field of museum conservation at the National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution from 2001 until 2004. During that time, she worked on the conservation of the 1813 Star Spangled Banner flag in Washington, which inspired the American National Anthem."
Satin worked as the Conservator at the Kelowna Museums from 2004 to 2006, after which she became the Associate Director in charge of collections and conservation for the Kelowna Museums until 2012. Then she was hired by the Westbank First Nations Museum as the Heritage Officer. Board Chairman, Dan Stuart says, “Tracy will be a welcome addition to the museum and archives, especially as we look forward to a new multi-purpose facility to house the museum and art gallery in the future.”

$60,000 For New Roof For Museum

Posted on 8/8/2016 6:57 AM by Ron Manz 107.6 KISSFM
The Greater Vernon Museum and Archives is finally getting a new roof.Costly leaks have been happening in recent times so GVAC approved spending $60-thousand dollars last week for a replacement roof.In the meantime, the search is on for a possible new location for the museum and Vernon art gallery.GVAC Chair Juliette Cunningham says no specific property has been decided on yet."We'll see if it's going to be feasible to be co-located. If at that point we will see what space requirements are and then look at what properties are available to accommodate that."The art gallery is hoping to relocate from the parkade to a site opposite Cenotaph Park where a flower shop used to be.Cunningham says it is a site being considered."There's nothing saying that may not happen. One of our goals is to try and build a more multi-use facility for culture. We are looking at perhaps having a black box space which is a common area that can be used by other groups in the community. We are looking at all those options."Cunningham says the roof replacement was a necessary expenditure. "Even if we were to go to referendum in the near future, those buildings don't get built overnight. It's prudent to still replace that roof. We did receive a $100,000 grant from the Federal Government so we think it is good value for the community."
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Museum roof replacement - budget shortfall
FINANCIAL/BUDGETARY CONSIDERATIONS:
Source Status
$100,000 General Revenue (2016) Approved - 2016 Financial Plan (060)
$ 20,000 Operating Reserves (capital carry-forward) Approved - 2016 Financial Plan (060)
$100,000 Canada 150 Infrastructure Program
$ 60,000 Operating Reserves Approved Proposed 2016 Financial Plan amendment (060)

The Greater Vernon Parks, Recreation and Culture reserve balance is currently $960K, but this includes  $360,000 that has already been allocated within the 2016 budget. The net unallocated balance of the reserve is currently $600,000.

Team To Look Into Multi Purpose Cultural Facility

Posted on 7/7/2016 12:31 PM by Pete McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM
A new facility housing local arts and culture groups under one roof is getting some political traction. The Greater Vernon Advisory Committee has approved forming an action team to look into a multi purpose building that could accommodate an art gallery, museum and other groups. GVAC director Mike Macnabb says it makes more sense than each group having separate facilities. "I think it's a great use of space, and that's where we should be looking. There is common ground for the museum and art gallery, and to duplicate in two separate facilities does not make sense to me, so I think this is a fantastic way of approaching it," Macnabb tells Kiss FM. The action team will include arts and culture reps, an Okanagan Indian Band member, Black Box Performance Space, Social Planning Council, an architect, a community member, GVAC directors, and will be led by regional district staff. The team will give input and make recommendations to the RDNO board. "I'm glad that staff will be there directing it. We don't want them running off in different directions, and all coming with different proposals, saying what they individually want. We want a shared vision coming forward," adds Macnabb, director for BX Silver Star. GVAC chair Juliette Cunningham says the end goal will be for a referendum on the issue, perhaps by next year. "We are really trying to accelerate it because there's been a lot of frustration from the cultural community. This is something that's been asked for for some time, and I think we have the fundamentals in place now to get some momentum," says Cunningham. GVAC director Jim Garlick says the idea of the groups using shared space, could cut down on the building's size. "We need to look at the requests, the projections for area, and the past uses, and there's really overlap in it, so we need to make best use of the area within the buildings." No potential sites have been mentioned yet.

Candy leaves museum

by  Darren Handschuh - CASTANET May 2, 2016 / 10:54 am 

After almost a quarter of a century at the helm of the Greater Vernon Museum and Archives, Ron Candy is stepping down. For more than 23 years, Candy was the executive director and curator of the downtown museum. According to a press release, Candy is stepping down in order to pursue other interests and spend more time with his wife. Candy came to Vernon from the historic gold mining town of Barkerville where he held a similar role. The museum will now launch a search for a new executive director, but in the interim, a Barkerville alumni of Candy's will take the reins. Ken Mather, former general manager of Historic O'Keefe Ranch, will run the museum until a permanent replacement is found. Mather also spent many years in Barkerville and is well known throughout the North Okanagan for his expertise in history and as an author. The Greater Museum and Archives has as its primary objectives to actively collect, preserve, research, exhibit, and interpret collections of artifacts and archival material relevant to the North Okanagan.
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Also See: Long-time museum curator garners praise  http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/news/377843241.html

Another Referendum is Likely

Posted on 3/28/2016 6:45 AM by Ron Manz 107.5 KISSFM
Greater Vernon residents could be heading for another referendum. The chair of the Greater Vernon Museum and Archives, Dan Stuart, believes a new expanded museum and art gallery are a must for the community. He adds, it took a referendum to get the ball rolling on a new arena....and he feels the same situation exists for the museum and art gallery. "They got the referendum on the arena passed, although we are dealing with a different group of people. There are people that want art galleries and want museums and want cultural things out there." Stuart says they have a whole new board that has been elected and they plan to be very vocal about getting approval for a new art gallery and expanded museum facility....and a referendum to approve that construction is likely. "We're really going to be pushing this museum-art gallery and the funding and everything the Regional District is working on because we are going to have representatives on that steering committee as well." Stuart says the arts community is growing and this issue is bigger than just the museum and art gallery. ":We're not just talking just the art gallery or just the museum. There are more groups involved in this overall. We have to look at the bigger picture. It will all be looked at as a whole with other information we will have to pull into the whole thing." The Regional District North Okanagan approved the new Greater Vernon Cultural Plan last week which covers a new art gallery and expanded museum.
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107.5 KISSFM POLL Results as at 7:00 AM

Do you think a referendum is needed to approve new art gallery and expanded museum for Greater Vernon?

Yes	92.0%
No	8.0%

Plan Sets Stage For Facility Discussion

Posted on 3/10/2016 by Pete McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM
It took almost two years to complete, but Greater Vernon's cultural plan is now done, and just needing final political approval. That's expected March 23rd at the Regional District of North Okanagan board meeting. The document will guide culture, arts and heritage in the community for the next decade. 100-thousand dollars was budgeted to develop it back in 2014. Greater Vernon Advisory chair Juliette Cunningham one of the new elements will see an advisory committee formed to look at gaps in facilities. "Then it would be up to that committee to bring recommendations forward. They could recommend we should look at an art gallery or museum, or whatever," Cunningham tells Kiss FM. Cunningham says the advisory panel will be made up from members of the cultural community. "In the past, they have always felt, when there's talk of art galleries or museums, that they have no opportunity to be a part of that, so that's a pretty important difference," says Cunningham. GVAC put plans for a referendum for a new art gallery and expanded museum on hold in 2013 after cost estimates doubled to 35 million dollars. The plans were again put on hold in 2014, to allow for the cultural plan to be completed. GVAC Area C director Mike Macnabb says big ticket projects like that, need strong community support before they can be put to votes. "That's why it's so important to get the public feedback (from the advisory panel) on this stuff. You can't have one group that might be very vocal demanding this or that and then find out that, really, there isn't that much community support, so that's the test that we want to measure this," says Macnabb.

Cultural process debated

by Jennifer Smith - Vernon Morning Star posted Jan 17, 2016 at 1:00 AM
Cultural plans are generating concerns in Coldstream. The district had community development co-ordinator Tannis Nelson, with the Regional District of North Okanagan, share details with council Monday. “It’s an extensive undertaking that the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee has been working our way through,” said Nelson. Currently, publicly funded facilities include the Performing Arts Centre, Greater Vernon Museum and Archives, Vernon Public Art Gallery and Vernon Arts Centre. But the plan is to move away from programming and focus on the buildings. “We are more interested in providing facilities,” said Nelson. Five-year agreements are being looked at with an envelope of funds set aside each year for the various organizations to apply for. “So the arts centre, if you need a new boiler, you can apply for it and that will be weighed against new tile in the bathroom at the museum,” said Nelson as an example. It is a slightly different approach that moves RDNO away from being responsible for everything. Currently, in the case of the art gallery, RDNO leases the space for the purposes of an art gallery but Vernon owns the space. Therefore recent leaks are the responsibility of Vernon. “As the landlord, they step in and take care of it,” said Coldstream Mayor Jim Garlick. But it is the addition of facilities and/or organizations that has some concerned. And the process more than anything. Coun. Doug Dirk has been around long enough to recall the problems that would arise during the old model. Which is why he maintains the importance of the current process where unanimous consent is gained from all members. That includes the possible addition of the Okanagan Science Centre and the building under the cultural plan. “There needs to be a decision made about who is in and who is out,” said Dirk. “What happens now if the gymnastics club or any other club comes along?” Dirk says he doesn’t have a problem with adding anything, as long as it goes through the proper process. He also points out that some of the services currently looked after by RDNO are under-funded. Coldstream agreed to support maintaining the service levels as they currently sit, without any additions for now. “The idea is that moving forward we may not be adding organizations at all but rather buildings,” said Nelson.

Calendar cash

Castanet Staff - Nov 22, 2015 / 5:00 am

Staff at the Greater Vernon Museum and Archives are hoping to raise some extra cash with the 2016 Then & Now calendars. Proceeds directly support the museum and its programs. The 12-month calendars are available now and display some of the changes that have taken place over the years in the downtown core. The $15.00 calendars are available at the museum’s gift shop at 32nd Avenue during regular hours, Tues.-Sat. 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information, call the museum at (250) 542-3142.

Cultural Group Guidelines

Posted on 6/5/2015 by Pete McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM
Local politicians are putting some general guidelines in place to help deal with cultural groups. Greater Vernon Advisory Committee director Doug Dirk says its part of developing the new ten year cultural plan. "Just moving to bring some order to everything that was existing because we have different agreements with different groups. Some involved societies, some didn't, some have an accountability through contracts and agreements and some didn't." BX-Silver Star director Mike Macnabb is concerned about providing facilities to cultural groups that meet certain criteria. "We don't want to have small interest groups to come forward and say we meet the criteria without having some obligation to bring to the table something more than just an interest." G-VAC chair Juliette Cunningham says they want to create a consistent process. "Currently its a bit one-off here and there and not treating each group equally and also trying to break it down into different categories and how you would, to what level you would support each group in the community." Under the new rules, the regional district will only fund independent registered societies, and only to groups that have an operating agreement or contract-for-services in place.

$6.9 million in BC Arts Council grants help museums, festivals and more

VICTORIA – More than $6.9 million is being provided to 277 artists, museums and arts organizations in 97 British Columbia communities as part of the latest round of successful BC Arts Council grant adjudications.

Highlights of this most recent funding includes:

$1.47 million to museums
Almost $900,000 to 71 community arts councils
$780,000 towards professional arts festivals
$1.95 million to 31 visual arts organizations
$430,000 to 50 creative writers
These most recent awards are a result of applications examined by the BC Arts Council’s independent peer-review process between Nov. 1, 2014, and Jan. 31, 2015.

The funding is part of the $24 million provided to the BC Arts Council by the Government of British Columbia to support the province’s arts and culture sector in 2014-15.

For a full list of recent recipients, visit: https://www.bcartscouncil.ca/documents/publicationforms/pdfs/recipientlist_nov2014_jan2015.pdf