The curtain is going up on the planned Greater Vernon Cultural Centre.
Revery Architecture, the design team hired by the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) to complete the first phase of design for the Greater Vernon Cultural Centre, has now completed its work.
And to share in the design unveiling, the community is invited to visit the Greater Vernon Museum and Archives on Friday, Dec. 1, 2 to 6 p.m., to see the concepts and get an update on the project.
“We are so excited to be at this stage,” says Amanda Shatzko, RDNO director.
“This has been a long time coming and will provide tremendous benefit to the whole community.”
The new arts and culture facility will be located in downtown Vernon, providing 31,000 square-feet of space and a new home for the museum and Vernon Public Art Gallery.
The design includes a central lobby, where residents or visitors can meet or relax, as well as a 150-seat flat-floor, flexible event space that community organizations or private renters will use for special events, educational presentations, and small performances.
The total project cost is $41.9 million, including the land’s acquisition cost.
In May 2022, the majority of Greater Vernon residents approved the borrowing of up to $28 million, so the design unveiling will launch an accelerated $13.9 million fundraising campaign to seek funding through a combination of senior-level government grants, foundation contributions, and community fundraising.
The RDNO and its fundraising partners aim to have the remainder of the required funding by July 2024 to meet the target construction start date of September 2025.
“It is an ambitious timeline, and we can’t do it alone,” said Dauna Kennedy, executive director of the Vernon Public Art Gallery.
“Through sheer determination, we can make this happen.
“This is a historic opportunity for our community, and now is the time to deliver a legacy facility for our future generations.”
The Community Foundation of the North Okanagan is accepting donations to the Greater Vernon Cultural Centre campaign at cfno.org/cultural-centre.