Art
Next steps for art gallery and housing project in downtown Castlegar – Castlegar News – Castlegar News
Progress is being made on plans for a new building in downtown Castlegar that would host the Kootenay Gallery of Art and affordable residential apartments.
The project is slated for the site of the old Eremenko building at the corner of Columbia Avenue and 3rd Street.
Columbia Basin Trust provided a grant to the City of Castlegar to obtain the property back in April 2021. Since then, the city has hired consulting firm CitySpaces to investigate possibilities for the space.
City Spaces presented a draft feasibility study to city council at their Oct. 4 meeting.
The consultants narrowed down half a dozen options to the two they consider to be the best. Both of those options include the demolition of the current building and a replacement building constructed with the gallery facing Columbia Avenue and six stories of affordable housing facing 3rd Street.
The first option, known as Concept 2C, calls for 33 residential units. Construction on either component — housing or gallery — could happen independently of the other. This allows more flexibility as one portion of the project could move ahead once funding is secured. The early-stage estimate of capital costs for the option is $11.3 million.
The units would include 17 with one bedroom, 11 with two bedrooms and five with three bedrooms.
The second option, known as Concept 2B, would involve construction on the gallery and residential components happening at the same time. This allows for more housing units (48) because some of the units could be constructed above the gallery. The units would include 23 with one bedroom, 20 with two bedrooms and five with three bedrooms.
With the higher unit count, this option appears to be more financially efficient, according to the consultants. The downside is that funding for both portions would need to be secured prior to starting. The capital costs of this option are estimated to be $15.1 million.
Neither concept incorporates underground parking, and a parking variance will be required for the project. However, city staff have stated that there is substantial off-street and-on-street parking available throughout the downtown core, including city-owned lots near the site.
Housing operations
Although the city owns the site, municipalities are generally not in the business of operating housing. This brings us to the next step.
In order to gain financing for the project and move forward, the city will need to partner with a non-profit society to operate the housing portion of the project.
The City of Castlegar will be issuing a formal Expression of Interest notice with a closing date of Nov. 2 in order to find that partner.
Once a society is selected, that society would then submit a proposal to BC Housing or the CMHC, under the Community Housing Fund or the Co-investment Fund, or similar future programs.
Design approvals, contracts for construction, receipt of capital, and operating funding would run through the non-profit society.
The city would need to approve any required rezoning, subdivision, or development permits for the project.
The report states that typical arrangements for similar projects have a city lease land to a society for 60 years at no cost.
Art gallery
Plans for the gallery portion of the project call for a 11,539 sq.ft. space that includes multiple exhibition galleries, a gift shop, staff offices, a boardroom and a workshop. The estimated construction costs are $3.9 to $4.6 million.
The Kootenay Gallery of Art has been investigating options and developing plans for a future relocation for more than six years. Public and stakeholder engagement has been ongoing during that time and the gallery has come to the table with a good idea of what it needs in the new facility.
At this stage, funding for the gallery portion is still undetermined, but the consultants say that capital funding contributions for cultural facilities can often be secured from both provincial and federal governments. Most cultural facilities also rely on substantial donations from the community, with some key major donors secured initially and a fundraising program organized via a capital campaign.
betsy.kline@castlegarnews.com
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The City of Castlegar has purchased the old Eremenko building for a housing and art gallery project. Photo: Submitted
A conceptual drawing of a new housing and art gallery relocation project (Concept 2C) in downtown Castlegar. Blue represents gallery, yellow represents apartments. Image: City Spaces Consulting
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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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