Original concept design for Greater Vernon Cultural Centre. The new design will be on display at the Greater Vernon Museum and Archives Dec. 1 from 2-6 p.m. (Image credit: Regional District of North Okanagan)

By Pete McIntyre

Fundraising campaign

Public event to unveil design of Greater Vernon Cultural Centre

Nov 29, 2023 | 12:03 PM

The community is invited to find out what the Greater Vernon Cultural Centre will look like at an event this week.

The Regional District of North Okanagan is holding a design unveiling Friday, Dec. 1 at the Greater Vernon Museum and Archives from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. to see the concepts and get an update on the project that local voters first gave funding approval for in 2018.

Revery Architecture was the design team hired by the RDNO last year to complete the first phase of design.

“We are so excited to be at this stage,” Amanda Shatzko, RDNO Director, said. “This has been a long time coming and will provide tremendous benefit to the whole community.”

“The new arts and culture facility will be located in downtown Vernon, providing 31,000 square feet of space and a new home for the museum and art gallery. The design includes a central lobby, where residents or visitors can meet or relax, as well as a 150-seat flat-floor, flexible event space that community organizations or private renters will use for special events, educational presentations, and small performances,” a news release from RDNO stated.

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The total project cost is $41.9 million, including the land acquisition cost. In May 2022, Greater Vernon residents approved borrowing up to $28 million for the centre, up from the original $25 million approved in a referendum in November 2018.

Friday’s design unveiling will kick off an accelerated $13.9 million fundraising campaign to cover the rest of the costs. The funding will be sought through a combination of senior government grants, foundation contributions and community fundraising.

“The RDNO and its fundraising partners aim to have the remainder of the required funding by July 2024 to meet the target construction start date of September 2025,” the regional district said.

“It is an ambitious timeline, and we can’t do it alone,” Dauna Kennedy, executive director of the Vernon Public Art Gallery, said. “Through sheer determination, we can make this happen. This is a historic opportunity for our community, and now is the time to deliver a legacy facility for our future generations.”

The Community Foundation of the North Okanagan is accepting donations to the Greater Vernon Cultural Centre campaign at www.cfno.org/cultural-centre.

To learn more about the project, visit www.rdno.ca.

by Pete McIntyre

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