Sites For Cultural Facilities Chosen

Written by Peter McIntyre  17.5 KISSFM Tuesday, 11 December 2012 13:23 
 Vernon council has chosen the sites for potential new cultural facilities, but not everyone agrees with the direction. At an in-camera meeting, council voted unanimously to encourage the museum to expand at its current location, rather than build on a new site. Museum president Ian Hawes says that wasn't their first choice. "The goal of this whole process is to end up with a class A museum and to me it's a very challenging proposition to say that we're going to create a class A museum on the existing site. That said, we need to look at the options with some professionals and see what's possible," Hawes tells Kiss FM. Hawes says they will seek clarification from council about what an expansion actually means. "And then we're back up to the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee to see what this means in terms of funding, and whether they'll accept that site." Hawes says the Coldstream Hotel site is another possibility, but city staff are apparently looking at that for commercial uses. "The city bought it for the purpose of putting a cultural complex on it. It has evolved into this idea of mixed commercial residential use at that site. I think long time that's a goal, but short term, I don't see that happening." Mayor Rob Sawatzky says there is room to expand at the front, back or up at that site. "All three options could be part of providing the appropriate expansion." Sawatzky says that site would add to the city's cultural corridor. "It fits with the long term plan where people can walk from the museum and City Hall, through to Cenotaph Park." Meantime council has re-confirmed its preferred location for a new art gallery, on a city owned site next to Cenotaph Park. GVAC will next have to decide if the projects should be put to the public in referendums. The committee has so far only committed to a referendum next April for a sports complex next to Okanagan College. In a news release, the city says the relocation of the art gallery and expansion of the museum support the development of a Cultural Centre in the heart of the city. "The redevelopment of the former Medical Clinic site as a linear park to connect Civic Plaza with Cenotaph Park, relocation of the Transit Terminus to 31 Avenue, creation of Spirit Square and other initiatives are all intended to create a vibrant public area that is attractive to residents and visitors alike." Council's resolution for the art gallery site will be in effect until December 31, 2015. "This is to provide time for the art gallery to confirm funding for the new facility. While no funding is yet in place for the expansion of the museum, Council wanted to ensure that the museum was accommodated in the plans for the area," says the release.