Chris Stedile
Castlegar News
After residing near the Doukhobor Discovery Centre for over 30 years, the Kootenay Gallery may be relocating.
Gallery staff will be hosting a “public engagement roundtable” February 26 at 7 p.m., to gather input about possible challenges and opportunities of relocating the gallery to a more visible and accessible location in Castlegar.
“We had a strategic planning session in 2014 and it was decided that we would like to explore the idea of moving the gallery,” said executive director Val Field.
“Because we are a public art gallery and we are supported by the community, both financially and by those who come to events and actually use the gallery, we feel a responsiblity to give the community a chance to have input.”
Field said a move should make the gallery more visible and accessible.
“The schools find it difficult to get kids up here and we’d love to be more involved with the schools.”
Other community members find that actually getting out to the gallery is more trouble than they would like.
If the project comes to fruition, Field added, “It’s going to be quite a big project so we’re doing it very methodically and carefully. We will be hiring a project manager after this public meeting to ensure we do this properly.”
The gallery, Field said, is also “bursting at the seams,” so more space would be a welcome addition. “We’re limited in what we can offer the community because of our lack of space.”
The meeting will be held at the gallery, located at 120 Heritage Way. Food and refreshments will be served.