West Vancouver, located on the unceded territories of the Squamish, Musqueam and Tseil-Waututh, is known for its spectacular natural beauty. From its mountains to its sparkling sea, opportunities for hiking, skiing, cycling, and watersports abound. But West Van is also home to a thriving arts community, where kids, youth, adults and seniors can participate in, enjoy, learn from and thrill to theatre, dance, visual arts and music any day of the week.
Unfortunately, many of these amazing arts activities are now taking place in ageing, falling-apart venues that can barely sustain current demand, let alone future needs. Determined to preserve and expand the programming offered at sites such as the WV Art Museum, Silk Purse and Music Box, the District undertook a year-long study in 2017, leading to the Arts & Culture Strategy 2018-2023.
One of that study’s recommendations was that a group be established to review the state of current arts facilities, estimate space and program needs for the arts community for the next 20 years, and recommend possible sites for a new Arts & Culture Centre. In 2018, the Arts Facilities Advisory Committee (AFAC) was formed, and I and my fellow volunteers have worked hard since then with District staff and Cornerstone Planning Group to research the needs of the local arts sector and make recommendations to Council for new facilities.
Several studies based on rigorous research (see https://westvancouver.ca/arts-culture/arts-culture-strategy) led us to conclude that a new building of approx 25,000 sq ft is needed to replace West Van’s current unsuitable facilities and to meet future demand. Council endorsed our recommendation for a Centre of this size on March 9, 2020, and from there we moved on to the next stage of work: determining possible sites for such a building.
After analyzing a whopping 20 potential locations within West Van (District and privately owned), two were top ranked, both in Ambleside Park. On Sept 14, 2021, these were approved by Council to go to public consultation, and this is where we find ourselves now! A survey, which is live until June 16 (https://www.westvancouverite.ca/artsplanning) asks which site you prefer and why. Once a site is selected (results of the survey go to Council on July 26), and as we move through the next phases of the proposal (such as developing an economic plan, governance model, and fundraising strategy), we will continue to seek public input every step of the way.
In a District as rich in talent and opportunity as this, and with such a legacy of accomplishment already in the areas of art, creative mentorship and education, architecture, design, performance and innovation, it’s time for us to create an Arts & Culture Centre truly worthy of this amazing place we live in.
Besides bringing together children, families, seniors and people of all cultural backgrounds to explore, create and socialize, the Centre will benefit local businesses, attracting visitors and residents alike to shop, dine, explore and enjoy the exciting array of outdoor activities the community is famous for—our beautiful beaches, nearby parks and playgrounds, and world-class sports fields and facilities.
As a working building with the potential to become a local landmark, this is our opportunity to put the arts front and centre, joining many of the world’s other great cities in capturing, celebrating and furthering our cultural legacy for generations to come.
Jennifer Webb, former Communications Manager at the UBC Museum of Anthropology, is a writer and editor of publications on art, architecture and design. She has served on numerous committees related to the arts in West Vancouver and is currently co-chair of West Vancouver’s Arts Facilities Advisory Committee.
I applaud this initiative by the District of West Vancouver. I’m a West Van resident, actively involved in the arts (I’m an artist and I also serve on the District’s Arts & Culture Advisory Committee) and am aware of the acute need for quality arts space in West Van. Not only that, the programming offered by our ailing existing facilities plays in immeasurable role in residents’ and visitors’ lives. So I’m really excited to see how this initiative evolves.
Jennifer, Thank you for your community involvement. Like most in our Community we appreciate Arts and Artists. I remain unconvinced though we need a $50 million Arts Centre ( capital cost $38 million and ten years of operating costs $12 million per the District of West Vancouver) in West Vancouver when we have an Art Gallery in North Vancouver ( two I believe), one at Whistler and one in downtown Vancouver. I have a real problem our Council asking residents where in Ambleside Park they would like an Arts Centre without asking whether they want an Arts Centre at all. DWV had spent $200,000 so far on this project and plans to spend a further $300,000 in 2021 without asking that basic question. I am sceptical that most of the capital cost and operating cost will be covered by private donation and believe much of the cost will fall on tax payers (whether at the Municipal, Provincial or Federal level) I do not support building such a centre in a park near the waterfront as this will add to the cost re flood proofing the building and we don’t need more buildings on our waterfront.
Thanks for your comments Graham. You raise many good points, which I will try to address. As noted in the documents accompanying the survey (see especially https://www.westvancouverite.ca/artsplanning/widgets/91876/faqs#17080), the facilities envisioned for the Centre for Arts & Culture are clearly distinct from the Vancouver Art Gallery, the Polygon Gallery and the Audain Art Museum, all of which were created for the display of visual arts, and not for the full range of activities envisioned for the new West Vancouver Centre. The Centre is intended to provide much-needed exhibition, rehearsal, studio, collections storage, and multipurpose spaces for the use of the entire community, as well as revenue-generating amenities such as a café, shop and rental spaces to serve residents and visitors alike. Much as West Van’s Rec Centre is a lively, working building designed to serve the social, fitness, and health and welfare needs of our youngest to our most senior community members, our Centre is intended to offer full-time opportunities for enjoyment, education, and practice of the arts in our District. Numerous studies have shown that the facilities in which arts activities are now taking place are ageing, run-down, and frankly unsafe in some instances for the kids, youth, adults and seniors taking part in them. Obviously there are costs to maintaining these run-down facilities; is it better to use up funds constantly mitigating floods, mold and accessibility challenges, among others, or to put these dollars to better use and create a new home for those who work so hard to organize, present, educate and inspire with their exceptional programming. If new facilities are not provided at some point, where will the beloved concerts, exhibits, art, theatre, and music classes for kids take place once the Silk Purse, Music Box, and West Van Art Museum simply must close? Regarding process, I can assure you that analyses of stakeholder needs, current facilities, anticipated growth, estimated costs, and community benefits have been meticulously researched and presented in the several documents produced as part of AFAC’s work (2018 til now), building upon the many, many previous studies conducted by the District—all of which included public input, and all of which noted the urgency of replacing our ageing and unsuitable arts infrastructures. No one wants to spend money needlessly, and that is why we have ensured that our process is transparent (AFAC meetings are open to the public, we report regularly to Council and are available anytime to answer public or stakeholder questions) and that all aspects of this multi-phase project are thoroughly researched and documented. We still have a long way to go (as you note, funding and governance models are still to be determined) but to date we have determined need, the kinds of facilities required, and the preference of the business community to have this kind of Centre in the heart of Ambleside, where its economic and social benefits can most immediately be felt. What we propose is indeed a major initiative, but one that is step-by-step looking to the future social, cultural and economic health and well-being of the community. Thanks again for your engagement—look forward to more!
I am not in favour of spending even one taxpayer dollar to subsidize a playpen for those who’s hobby is dabbling in the arts. Let them put up their own money and purchase the site they want. If this project is like other government projects the capital costs will be 40% higher than initially estimated and operating expense will probably be more than double the original estimate. I am not opposed to an Arts Building in West Van. I am certainly opposed to being forced to pay for it West Vancouver can’t even maintain its present facilities properly.
Jennifer, when you wrote this article it was before the survey had closed for the public to give their input on a site selection in Ambleside Park; tennis courts or parking lot below the train tracks.
The optics are not good! You are standing in front of the tennis courts
Have you, and the AFAC already decided on the tennis courts before the survey even closed??
It would have been more appropriate for you to stand in front of the ‘AMBLESIDE PARK sign at Marine Drive and 13th Street.
Optics can say it all!!
Ha ha Judy I was wondering when you’d be pointing this out. Yes the photo was taken while the survey was still live, but I can tell you there was no nefarious intention. The editor asked for an image showing one of the sites, and that happened to be the one that was picked. Next time, I promise we’ll take the photo in front of the Ambleside Park sign at Marine and 13th as you suggest. Thanks for the tip!