HOW IT ALL STARTED
ACTIVE CREATIVE ENGAGED COMMUNITY GATHERING
An Arts, Culture & Convention Centre was identified as the #1 priority for the community.
ARTS CENTRE STEERING COMMITTEE
An Arts and Culture Centre Committee was appointed by Council.
ARTS AND CULTURE CENTRE PUBLIC SURVEY
Bannister Research conducted a survey which determined there is strong public support and need for an Arts, Culture & Convention Centre in Whitecourt.
ARTS AND CULTURE CENTRE FEASIBILITY STUDY AND OPEN HOUSES
RC Strategies Inc. conducted public and group meetings, and determined that there is high public demand for an Arts, Culture & Convention Centre. Open houses were held in June 2011.
CONVERSATION CAFÉ
Arts/Culture groups, the general public and instructors were invited to discuss their ideas surrounding an Arts, Culture & Convention Centre.
LIBRARY NEEDS ASSESSMENT
Group 2 Architecture developed the report that highlighted the Library as being deficient in floor area and undersized for the community it serves. The report recommended a Library be included in the Culture & Events Centre, as this would provide opportunities for collaboration, and increase user and operating efficiency.
TOURS
Town Council and Woodlands County Council toured several arts, culture and convention centres throughout the province to determine what components they would like included in the Centre. The Arts and Culture Committee also visited centres in Saskatchewan and Alberta and provided input.
ARTS AND CULTURE CENTRE OPEN HOUSES AND INTERNET SURVEY
Whitecourt and Woodlands County held open houses and conducted an internet survey that determined there was strong support for an Arts, Culture & Convention Centre with 84% of participants responding that the proposed concept was good, great or excellent, and 75% of participants supporting a tax increase for the construction and operation of the facility.
ARTS AND CULTURE CENTRE BUSINESS PLAN
Webb Consulting developed a plan, including an operating budget, showing significant public support for a 550-650 seat Arts, Culture & Convention Centre. This plan demonstrated the positive economic impact the centre could offer the community, while also increasing educational opportunities for residents through conference and partnership capabilities. The plan included an operating budget.
CONCEPT DESIGN
BR2 Architecture was contracted to create a Concept Design for the Culture & Events Centre project which includes the Arts, Culture & Convention Centre with a 600 seat theatre, Library and Administration Office.
AD HOC BUILDING COMMITTEE
An Ad Hoc Building Committee comprised of community members was formed and worked with BR2 on the design.
INVESTING IN CANADA INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT (ICIP)
Applied for $15.6M through the ICIP grant program for the Library and Arts, Culture & Convention Centre.
DETAIL DESIGN
Received notice that the grant was approved at the end of 2020. Commenced detail design for the Culture & Events Centre.
The Public Ad Hoc Committee began developing an education campaign.
PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN
Public Ad Hoc Building Steering Committee conducted a public education campaign that provided a full picture of what this facility will include, offer and cost should it proceed. The campaign included a variety of virtual and in-person events, as well as advertisements posted in local papers and radio stations and on social media platforms.
PUBLIC INFORMATION SESSION
New building design. Reduced cost by $16.9M. Combined theatre and large multipurpose room into one flexible space that can still accommodate 99% of the original proposed uses.
© Culture & Events Centre 2024.