With Studio 2880 aging to the point that it’s no longer a suitable home for the Community Art Council, they’re looking for a new one.
The Community Arts Council of Prince George announced its intentions to build and relocate. The CAC is planning to build an arts-based community centre, which will also be known as a “Creative Hub”, at the corner of Quebec Street and 3rd Avenue.
The organization has operated at its current location for 42 years.
“We want to be downtown. We want to be a part of the revitalization of the downtown core,” Executive Director for CAC, Sean Farrell told MyPGNow. “We need to look very carefully at rebuilding something that’s going to be forward-looking, and it’s going to last for generations to come. In order to do that, we need to be really precise in our planning for it.”
Just last year, CAC undertook a Capital Investment Analysis review of the Creative Hub site. Through that review, the CAC was able to identify various services and features that would be able to be a part of their new facility downtown.
Some of the features will include multi-purpose performance space, classrooms, workshops and art-friendly spaces, gallery and exhibit opportunities, community events, short and long-term rentals, a public marketplace, gift shop, social enterprise cafe, and a ticket box office.
“While the proposed site is a substantial upgrade in terms of location, it falls short of space and the building will require an extensive addition and renovation to suit the needs of the CAC and the community,” said Linda Rempel, CAC President.
The next step for the CAC is to proceed with a Feasibility Study of the site concept, as well as evaluate the viability of the financial and operational models. As of right now, the preliminary costs to complete the renovations are looking at the $11-$12 million range, the results of the study will help identify the capacity of the community, as well as other funders to provide financial support to go along with the proposed uses of the new facility.
The CAC is planning to have their Feasibility Study completed by September of this year, which will be followed by construction the following year. Plans to move and open up are planned with 2021 being the goal.
According to Farrell, the City of Prince George has plans to redevelop the current site of Studio 2880 for new residential space.
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