Fundraiser launched to support Cultural Centre project

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Cochrane added the referendum that was approved in 2018 only accounted for a portion of the funds needed to build the Cultural Centre, and fundraising was important at that time and has become increasingly important since then. He also noted the actual cost of the construction of the new facility had not been finalized as of Tuesday, and though the Regional District of North Okanagan had provided funding, there was a possibility that fundraising dollars would be needed.

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Cochrane also said the fundraising efforts could help offset the costs to build the centre as well as the tax implication associated with the project. 

The campaign kicked off with a $70,000 donation from local philanthropists Janet Armstrong and Lloyd Davies.

“Giving to this project is really important to us because we feel every community needs a cultural hub, a public space for people to come together to celebrate arts and culture, and our shared history,” Armstrong said.

Janet Armstrong and Lloyd Davies donated 70,000 to the Together 4 Culture campaign in support of the Cultural Centre project (photo by Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)

Other local leaders and stakeholders applauded the move to run a fundraising campaign in support of the Cultural Centre, saying the project would be beneficial to Greater Vernon and its residents.

“This facility will be a downtown attraction and a hub for the Greater Vernon community, providing much needed space for culture, visual and performing arts, historical events, and community activities. It will also improve and increase the educational and presentation spaces for the Vernon Public Art Gallery and the Vernon Museum,” Bob Fleming, Chair of the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee and RDNO Area B Director, said.

“[The Cultural Centre] is going to be a great addition. A great addition to the community and a great place to focus so many cultural activities, both inside and outside,” Victor Cumming, Mayor of Vernon, said.

“With this new building, we’re going to be able to bring national exhibits to Vernon. We can’t do that today because we’re worried they might be flooded out, we have our permanent collection in plastic bags [just in case that happens]. [Also], today, we really don’t have dedicated classroom space, so we don’t have anywhere for our youngsters to learn, or for our oldsters, our young at heart people, to learn. So that’s going to be another huge gift to the community,” Sarah Kennedy, President of the Vernon Public Art Gallery, stated.

“The Museum and Archives sees thousands of people through our doors every year, and this new, purpose-built space will allow us to better serve the community through school programming, events, rotating and visiting exhibits similar to the gallery, more effective ways to store our collection, and a more welcoming space to invite you to wander and to wonder,” Adrianna Stange, Board President of the Greater Vernon Museum and Archives Society, added.

Additionally, the Art-i-Fact trailer, featuring local artist works and pieces from the museum and art gallery, was set up at the parking lot on 30th Street, where the Cultural Centre will be built.

People can visit the trailer to learn more about the project and the fundraiser. Details about the fundraiser, as well as opportunities to make donations, can also be found online here.

Construction of the Greater Vernon Cultural Centre was expected to begin in late-2025.