Opposing views
Proposed Yarmouth arts centre would cost $25 million
An arts and culture centre proposed for the Collins Street parking lot in Yarmouth remains a controversial issue.
Opinions were expressed during a community meeting at the Rodd Grand Hotel on July 5.
Project consultants MacKayLyons Sweetapple Architects, Windmill Bight Ventures Inc. and McInnes Cooper, presented the results of a concept design, feasibility cost study and board governance framework consultation.
A cost estimate of $25 million was provided for the proposed facility, to be potentially funded by federal, provincial and local sources.
The conceptual design includes 30 to 54 parking spaces along the open courtyard perimeter.
After the presentations, members of the audience were invited to voice their opinions.
Shonda Irving commented on the architect’s suggestion of brick as a primary building ma- terial.
“I don’t see stone mentioned in the plan. There’s a lot of stone around the coastline. The brick speaks to me more of institution.”
Said Phillip Ready, former president of the Yarmouth Arts Regional Council (YARC), “There are 600 members of the present YARC and you did point out that reconciling with Th’YARC would be critical to moving forward.
“So, you see yourself finding funding provincially, federally, without them in the sense that they already have a non-profit status with the province and are presently funded on a three-year funding program with the province, and have a 40-year history of providing the arts to this community.”
Cheryl Hodder, a senior partner with McInnes Cooper law firm, replied people consulted had great enthusiasm for the project.
“At the same time, they said it was important to have reconciliation with Th’YARC,” she said.
Howard Rhyno stressed the importance of jobs first.
“You’re dreaming in colour. If something’s not done soon to bring jobs to these places, we’re not going to have an arts centre. You’re basing it on tourism, the Cat. Which government is going to keep it, which government is going to get rid of it?”
Belle Hatfield says she’s fearful if common ground is not found, an opportunity could be lost that might take two generations to retrieve.
“It’s not a done deal – we as a community have got to walk through the door united or it’s not going to get done.”
She urged consultants to talk with Th’YARC’s membership and board of directors to work their values and needs into the process.
Cheryl Hodder responded: “We reached out to many people who are members of Th’YARC or leader- ship. Some individuals agreed to speak, others did not.”
Greg Doucette says he’s been a member of the community for 40 years.
“What I have seen is a steady decline in youth, a steady decline in economy. Tonight, I hear a board talk about how important it is that the tourists have high-class amenities to watch their arts while our town holds a 40 per cent child poverty rate. Not one of you spoke about our children – where they’re going to be and what they’re going to do and whether they can even afford this facility when it opens. Our voices are not heard.”
Peggy Green says Yarmouth has great potential.
“I wouldn’t have come here close to 40 years ago if it didn’t. My sons have had amazing experiences, some of which were very low cost. I think as much as there may be naysayers, it’s time for people to look at all of the positive things that can happen.”
Artist Dan Earle says the visual arts and crafts people support the downtown location.
“We are one of the groups that provide a 12 month fee to this kind of facility. We work with children but we don’t have any place right now that’s suitable for most of our work.
“We brought close to 2,000 children in the past couple of years just to see the shows and to run our activities with.”
Deanna McCarron started a nonprofit organization (KIDZACT) about 15 years ago.
“I for one do not want to live in a community that’s stagnant. From what I’ve seen with working with all the children, I see that they get excited about this. If we create a really vibrant community, that’s the best thing we can do for our youth.”
Amber d’Entremont moved away seven years ago to Toronto to become a professional contempor- ary dancer.
“I wouldn’t have moved if we had this centre back in the day. Currently I’m trying to create a new dance company because I want to give that opportunity for the youth in Yarmouth. But we’re doing it out of my tiny studio. Imagine what we could achieve with this centre. We want the youth here. Why would they stay in a town with no art?”
Julie Bancroft moved here from British Columbia.
“The reasons I came here were certainly not the reasons you are giving tonight. I was quite disappointed that you talked to 17 people out of 6,500.”
Th’YARC and the town have been at odds over the proposed new facility.
President Mitch Bonnar says the biggest issue remains governance of the facility.
He says project consultants have talked to several YARC members who provided their concerns, but consultants ignored them.
He added that he is not averse to a facility being downtown and never was, but not on the Collins Street site.
“I’m open to discussions, I always have been.
He referred to the town’s arts & culture centre project as a “dog and pony show and a very expensive one.”
“If they want to build the centre, go ahead. I don’t know how in the hell they think it’s going to work, when 90 per cent of the public don’t want it.”
Town council and staff will continue to review and analyze project reports and recommendations in upcoming months.