Keyano College has hired Stantec to start public consultations on the proposed International Art Gallery.
On Nov. 29 council approved the $16.85 million in capital grant funding for the gallery.
That funding, however, is conditional to the college creating an acceptable governance model and doing consultation on architectural drawings, both of which are in progress.
President and CEO of Keyano College, Trent Keough said the vision for the gallery is to “reflect the multicultural fabric of the RMWB.”
Keough clarified that the funding won’t be used to build an entirely new building, but rather would be used to renovate its own unoccupied spaces.
“We have a vacant building ourselves, which is the art gallery and the performance art galleries, so this is not a new building it’s construction of the existing building.”
The changes would include an expansion of the theatre foyer, turning the gymnasium into three large art studios and renovating the theatre.
Changes also include a stand alone building between the college and Composite High School for a ceramics and glass lab.
Keough noted that since the college no longer offers performance arts programs, it would cost $2.5 million per year to maintain the 17 vacant studios and two theatres.
In addition to the renovations, Keough said that the college will contribute $1 million into visual and performance arts programming at the college.
As of right now an online petition opposing the gallery has over 2200 signatures, but Keough said no number of signatures would make the college reconsider.
“I wouldn’t even look to defend it. Quite frankly we don’t have to defend it. It’s the need of the community. It’s been supported by the majority of the community. Our job now is to see it come to fruition.”
The municipality said in a statement that physical signatures from ten per cent of the population are required under the Municipal Government Act for council to reconsider.
