WL City Council confirms support for Station House Gallery Move Project

From the City of Williams Lake:

Williams Lake City Council has committed to re-locating the Station House Gallery from its current location at the foot of Oliver Street to corner of Borland Street and Fourth Avenue North, in order to make improvements to the building and to increase its visibility in the community.

However, Mayor Kerry Cook made it clear at the March 8 Regular Council meeting that the gallery project will only be undertaken if a $375,000 grant through the Towns of Tomorrow program is approved. The remaining funds for the project, estimated at $635,000, would come from the Community Works fund and gaming revenue, which is traditionally earmarked for arts and culture initiatives
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In 2010, as the City was evaluating the costs of stabilizing the building in its current location, the question arose if it made sense to spend funds to construct a new basement and undertake repairs to the building on the current site or move the building to a more visible location in the community. After consulting with members of the Museum Board and Station House Gallery Board, it was suggested that the City investigate the availability of the Royal Bank parking lot for the Station House building.

“The Station House Gallery is a vital part of our heritage, and we want to keep it in good shape and in a prominent location,” says Mayor Kerry Cook. “It offers artists from the city and the region a place to showcase their work, and is an attraction to visitors.

“Council values both its cultural and historical heritage, but must also consider the cost implications of a project of this scope,” Cook says. “If we are not successful in our application for the grant, this project will not proceed this year.”

The site is considered ideal for the Gallery with the Museum of the Cariboo-Chilcotin and the Central Cariboo Arts Centre (the old fire hall) located on the same corner, firming the site as the central cultural precinct of Williams Lake and the Cariboo region. By combining these cultural facilities in the one place, it will encourage higher patronage and use of the facilities. The project scope includes relocation, site preparation, renovation, parking/landscaping and retrofitting costs, which includes new electrical and plumbing work together with a new HVAC