The Mayor of Yarmouth says she’s excited that the town is moving forward in the planning process for a new community arts and culture facility.
The town issued a news release Friday saying that, following a recent meeting with representatives of Th’YARC, it was agreed that there was plenty of common interest in the project.
Mayor Pam Mood says the next step is finding the best governance model.
“We’ve put together a two-pager, just to begin those discussions, understanding that when it comes to anything that’s funded by tax dollars for the greater community, that best practices have to be put in place so that’s absolutely what we’re aiming for. The idea is to bring together a group of people that will be able to bring those best practices forward. Completely what that will look like we’re not 100 per cent sure but we know that it does mirror a lot of public and government organizations”
Mayor Mood says if agreement can be reached on governance, the concerns regarding specific location will easily resolve themselves.
Mayor Mood says the new arts and culture centre will be downtown.
She says the town has reviewed three feasible locations noting that another expert has concluded that the parking lot adjacent to the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and Alma Square & Collins Street presents unique and superior possibilities.
Here is the news release from the Town of Yarmouth:
The Town of Yarmouth is excited to be moving forward in the planning process for a new community Arts and Culture Facility.
Following a recent meeting to discuss governance with representatives of Th’YARC, it was agreed that there was plenty of common interest in the project, and the process of drafting governance requirements should proceed, without delay.
A scan of best practices in governance of public bodies has culminated in a two-page discussion document.
Our intention is to ensure that we establish a governance structure that is open, transparent, accountable and inclusive of the entire community.
While it may appear obvious for a body that operates a multi-million dollar facility for the public, with public funds, these are the details that need to be agreed upon to establish a foundation on which to build long-term sustainable success, for generations to come.
The Centre will be downtown, and we have reviewed three feasible locations.
Once again, another expert has concluded that the parking lot adjacent to the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and Alma Square & Collins Street presents unique and superior possibilities.
Location has always been put forward as a concern; however, the real concern is control and governance. We believe if we can come together on the governance, the concerns regarding specific location will easily resolve themselves.
The Town is committed to the artists and the arts community as a whole, to see this project through, and to engage the arts community every step of the way.
The community is engaged and excited about the possibilities as evident by last month’s design workshop. This stage of the work is continuing and will culminate in a design concept and project budget and phasing plan in the very near future.
Town Council unanimously supports the project and is committed to moving it forward in a timely fashion.
