Concept design of Greater Vernon Cultural Centre unveiled on Dec. 1. (Vernon Matters photo)

By Pete McIntyre

$41.9M facility

Public gets first look at Greater Vernon Cultural Centre designs

Dec 1, 2023 | 4:30 PM

The public now has a better idea of what the proposed Greater Vernon Cultural Centre will look like, and what features it will include.

The new concept designs were unveiled at an open house at the Greater Vernon Museum Friday for the $41.9 million dollar facility planned for part of the parking lot near the Elks Lodge in downtown Vernon.

Designs for Greater Vernon Cultural Centre (Vernon Matters photo)

Several dozen people checked out the designs by Revery Architecture, during the first hour of the session which was also attended by some local politicians.

Tannis Nelson, manager of culture and community services with the Regional District of North Okanagan, was hearing positive comments.

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“I think people are getting excited that it’s moving forward The biggest change from previous versions is that we now have that Class C cost estimate and that provides us with a greater level of certainty on our budget and our target for our project cost.”

Nelson said they hope the new designs and estimate will leverage senior government grants to help cover some of the remaining $13.9 million cost for the facility that will house the Vernon Public Art Gallery, part of the Greater Vernon Museum and a performance stage.

“We’ve done a lot of work trying to get the right balance of what the community needs, what we can afford because the construction costs have gone up so much, and how we can maximize the functionality of the spaces,” Nelson added.

One aspect that has come out recently is that the archives at the museum will not be part of the new building and will remain in their current site in the city complex.

Open house for Greater Vernon Cultural Centre on Dec. 1. (Vernon Matters photo)

Vernon Mayor Victor Cumming, who was at the open house said that’s a decison that comes down to the cost.

“We’d all be happy if the building was 20 per cent bigger, but we can’t afford 20 per cent bigger,” Cumming told Vernon Matters. “Archives are very expensive with heavy, thick walls and their own HVAC systems etc., so to bring them over would be very expensive, and where they are now is quite satisfactory in terms of the physical site, so this compromise has been made during the design process.”

Cumming said to bring the archives into the new building would be “multi-millions of dollars more.”

The centre also includes space for a 150 retractable seat theatre which Nelson said could be used for a variety of events such as lecture series by artists related to exhibitions by the museum or art gallery.

“We also expect it will be a beautiful place for things like weddings and conferences. And I know our multi cultural organizations have indicated they would really like that space for special events they have,” Nelson said.

Vernon city councillor Brian Guy, who checked out the open house, likes the look of the centre and its elements. He’s confident the remaining $13.9 million can be raised before the anticipated construction start in September 2025.

“It might be a lot of money but for a project of this importance, there’s got to be a way,” Guy told Vernon Matters. “And we don’t have to raise it all in within this community. There is grants available from the province and federal government — and maybe elsewhere — that our staff are looking into actively. So there are many sources of funding that are available to close the gap. We have to do it. It’s a great project.”

Vernon Matters photo

Residents were excited to see the designs and find out more information from RDNO, museum and art gallery staff.

“I like the design, and I feel the way they are using the space is really good. I’m surprised to see there is a theatre in there too,” one woman told Vernon Matters. “I think it’s high time we had something especially for the museum and the art gallery.”

“It’s a nice looking building for sure, and it’s an ideal spot for it,” a man told Vernon Matters. “It will improve the downtown for sure. I was in favour of it right from the start. Mind you, it’s changed since then. It’s a little more expensive, but you could have guessed that.”