SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - Document Center Committee of... · SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE...

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SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015, AT 12:00 P.M. ABBOTSFORD CITY HALL - ROOM 530 AGENDA 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. ADOPTION OF MINUTES None. 3. DELEGATIONS None. 4. BUSINESS OUT OF MINUTES None. 5. REPORTS 5.1 ENGINEERING AND REGIONAL UTILITIES .1 Report No. ENG 024-2015, dated April 9, 2015, from the Senior Engineer, Water Utilities and Solid Waste, regarding a utility account web portal (distributed) - Powerpoint Presentation 5.2 PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURE .1 Update from the General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Culture, regarding public art and heritage - Background Information (attached) - Powerpoint Presentation (p. 2) 6. NEW BUSINESS 7. ADJOURNMENT

Transcript of SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - Document Center Committee of... · SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE...

SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015, AT 12:00 P.M. ABBOTSFORD CITY HALL - ROOM 530

AGENDA

1. CALL TO ORDER 2. ADOPTION OF MINUTES

None.

3. DELEGATIONS

None.

4. BUSINESS OUT OF MINUTES None.

5. REPORTS

5.1 ENGINEERING AND REGIONAL UTILITIES

.1 Report No. ENG 024-2015, dated April 9, 2015, from the Senior Engineer,

Water Utilities and Solid Waste, regarding a utility account web portal (distributed)

- Powerpoint Presentation

5.2 PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURE

.1 Update from the General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Culture, regarding

public art and heritage

- Background Information (attached)

- Powerpoint Presentation

(p. 2)

6. NEW BUSINESS 7. ADJOURNMENT

Briefing Note Regarding Culture Orientation for Council April 13, 2015 Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan- Culture - 2005 excerpts

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Draft status report of Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan 2010

In the Master Plan, status report of 2010 ( not adopted by Council ) “culture” refers to arts, heritage and ethnic diversity. When the Master Plan was prepared, there were major gaps in cultural facilities and services in Abbotsford. In Canada, the cities that understand the impact of arts and heritage on the health and prosperity of their residents and economy are finding the resources to support a variety of cultural initiatives.

Abbotsford, the fifth largest city in British Columbia, is beginning to recognize what most developed, and some developing, nations understand; that arts and heritage together are a barometer of a city’s social and economic richness. Many cities in Canada, including those smaller in population than Abbotsford, have created infrastructure and made resources available to sustain a vibrant culture.

Of specific interest in Abbotsford in the past five years were large facilities including entertainment centres and sports arenas. These facilities, which are not typically supplied to any standard, are categorized by size and seating capacity, driven by market size and purpose. Arenas with seating capacities larger than 10,000 seats tend to have the presence of professional sports teams and the associated higher levels of revenue and amenities. Arenas with seating capacities of 5,000 to 10,000 are considered medium sized and generally host amateur sports tenants. Smaller arenas with seating capacities of less than 5,000 seats are structured for community use. The amenities in arenas are generally proportional to their size. Arenas can be divided into two groups, those which are built for hockey, and those which are built for entertainment and hockey.

Accomplishments - Culture The following are some of the diverse accomplishments in culture since the Master Plan was prepared:

• The department’s name was officially changed to include culture: “Parks, Recreation & Culture”.

• A half-time Arts and Heritage Coordinator was hired.

• A Heritage Strategic Plan was completed in 2005.

• A Community Heritage Register was approved in 2006.

• A draft Feasibility Study of the Matsqui Centennial Auditorium was commissioned in 2007.

• The Reach Gallery Museum Abbotsford was completed and opened in 2008, containing: a 6,100 square foot exhibition hall, 2 multi-purpose studios, 2 community exhibition spaces, art collection storage, archives, and museum artifact collection storage.

• An Arts and Heritage Advisory Committee was created.

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Culture Current Supply Parks Recreation and Culture Department Service Contractors for the City

• The Abbotsford Cultural Board – The Reach • MSA Museum Society- Trethewey House • Abbotsford Arts Council- Kariton House

General Arts • Abbotsford Arts Council/Karitan Art Gallery & Boutique • Abb. Photo Arts Club • Abb. Quilters Guild • Abb. Spinners & Weavers Guild • Central Fraser Valley Graphic Guild • Fraser Valley Watercolour Society • The Glass Hive Studio

Dance • A Time to Dance • Abbotsford Ballet Studio • Abbotsford Dance Center • Abbotsford Grand Squares • Abbotsford Swinging Hubs Square Dance • Absolute Dance Academy • Creative Edge School of Arts • Dance Club • Dance In Motion • Loretta's Line Dancing • Ukrainian Club of Abbotsford Association

Music • A & D Music & Productions • A-Tones Sing-along/Jam • Abbotsford Youth Orchestra • Central Valley Academy of Music • Central Fraser Valley Fiddlers • Creative Edge School of Arts • Fraser Valley Symphony Society • German Sing-Along • Joy Vox Community Choir • Music For Young Children • Music Pups • Sound Of Music Academy • Stepping Stne Music Company • The Valley Concert Society • Valley Echoes Chorus

Theatre • Abbotsford Children's Theatre • Fraser Valley Stage Production Society • Gallery 7 Theatre and Performing Arts Society

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Arts and Heritage Master Plan 2004 The City of Abbotsford commissioned the Arlington Group Planning and Architecture to create a plan addressing arts and heritage in the city. Through extensive community and stakeholder consultation, the Arts and Heritage Master Plan 2004 was delivered. The plan was approved in principle by Council on June 21, 2004. The plan, “[recommended] a community driven, incremental approach with modest actions in the first few years that will build on partnership opportunities and an expanding population base in the future.” In addition, the plan also developed, “a flexible and realistic 20 year Action Plan for the implementation of these recommendations”. Prior to 2005, culture was not officially recognized as a scope within the City’s mandate. In the 10 years since then, the City has made an impact in the cultural life of its citizens with the:

• Change of the department name from Parks & Recreation Department, to Parks, Recreation & Culture Department;

• Construction of The Reach Gallery Museum Abbotsford and the Abbotsford Centre (both award-winning facilities);

• Continued support of the Abbotsford Arts Council and the MSA Museum Society; • Commissioning of a Heritage Strategic Plan, MCA Draft Feasibility Study and Black Box

study of the Community Arts Addition (next to the Abbotsford Arts Centre); • Joint use agreement with the Abbotsford School District for the community use of

schools; • Support public investment in culture and arts through joint initiatives with community

groups and others; • The establishment of a Community Heritage Register; and • The establishment of a Public Art Policy and Public Art Reserve Fund Bylaw.

Summary Review of the Arts and Heritage Master Plan 2004. The majority of the Arts and Heritage Master Plan 2004 action plan has been completed including major items completed well ahead of the suggested timeline. Short Term (2004-2007) City Arts Actions Expand the mandate of Parks & Recreation Department to include cultural initiatives. Start by changing the name to the Parks, Recreation & Culture Department. Provide 0.5 FTE staff support through the establishment of an Arts and Culture Coordinator function.

Completed.

Create a Cultural Advisory Committee as a subcommittee of the former Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission to advise Council on arts and cultural issues. Support through the establishment of a modest annual budget (approximately $2-3,000).

Completed. Arts and Heritage Advisory Committee No committees currently receive a budget.

Continue to support the Abbotsford Arts Council as a community coordinating agency. Evaluate the longer term need and mandate for this service.

Ongoing support. January 2014 Fee for Service = $18,000

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Short Term (2004-2007) City Heritage Actions Expand the mandate of Development Services Department to include an integrated approach to heritage resource management. Provide 0.5 FTE staff support through establishment of a Heritage Planner function.

Not completed. Official Community Plan

Expand the mandate of the Clayburn Community Heritage Commission to a city-wide mandate and rename the CCHC as the City of Abbotsford Community Heritage Commission. Support through establishment of a modest annual budget (approximately $2-3,000).

Not completed. Under Review

Complete the Heritage Strategic Plan and through consultation with senior levels of government initiate a City-wide heritage inventory.

Completed. Heritage Strategic Plan. (adopted by Council March 7, 2005) Inventory ongoing.

Short Term (2004-2007) Facilities Development Undertake a Capital Improvement Feasibility Study to determine the opportunities, capital and operating costs of establishing a temporary art gallery, community museum, archives, and programmable arts space. This could be linked with the development of a children’s library in the vacant ground floor of the Clearbrook library.

Completed. The Reach (20,000 sq. ft.) was constructed ahead of schedule and opened in 2008 due to positive community support. This was a major construction project not expected until 2015-2024.

Undertake a Capital Improvement Feasibility Study to determine the opportunities and operating costs of renovating the Matsqui Centennial Auditorium (MCA) for increased community use and providing new multi-purpose Council Chambers. Such a study could also explore the feasibility of establishing a 120 seat adaptable performing arts facility (often called a “Black Box’ theatre) either in conjunction with the Civic Complex or the Abbotsford Arts Centre.

Completed. Draft MCA Feasibility Study, and Black Box Theatre Study of Abbey Arts Centre (CEI Architecture).

If the results of the Feasibility Studies are positive and have community support, funding of the appropriate capital improvements should be considered within the City’s Capital Prioritization Plan. If funding cannot be secured, implementation will be deferred until the retirement of the civic debt in 2007.

Not completed. The Abbotsford Centre (a 7,000 seat performance and sports venue) opened in 2008 due to referendum majority vote. This was a major construction project that surpassed previous goals for a black box theatre expected in 2015-2024. Civic debt is not retired.

Intermediate Actions (2008-2014) If improvements to the Clearbrook Library, the Matsqui Centennial Auditorium and Abbotsford City Hall have not been implemented, planning for construction should follow the retirement of major civic debt.

Partial completion. Clearbrook Library has been improved; the ground level entry ( basement ) floor has become a satellite location of the University of the Fraser Valley. The Matsqui Centennial Auditorium and Abbotsford City Hall have not had major structural improvements.

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Intermediate Actions (2008-2014) Continued By this time it is anticipated that arts and heritage initiatives will have grown to an intermediate stage and may require additional staff and financial resources to ensure their ongoing success. Subject to need and available funding, the part-time Arts Coordinator and Heritage Planner may need to increase to full time positions.

Not completed. A full time Arts & Heritage Coordinator has been superseded by a more strategic focus of a Recreation and Culture Services Director within the department.

Long Term Actions (2015- 2024) Based on a slow, incremental approach, major stand-alone facilities such as a performance theatre, art gallery and museum and program initiatives can be phased in over time. It is essential that this phasing be properly coordinated, with full public support to build the audience. The need for a large performing arts centre is not anticipated until the long term horizon. Efforts to establish such a facility need to start early, and community support must be established in order to ensure success. The appropriate location for major capital improvements will also need to be reassessed.

Completed. The Reach and Abbotsford Centre facilities construction and opening in 2008, well ahead of schedule.

Heritage In 1994, heritage enabling legislation was significantly revised. The City of Abbotsford was recognized as, “the City was one of the first in B.C. to take advantage of the new tools at the time by enacting a Heritage Conservation Area Bylaw for Clayburn [Village]”. On June 21, 2004, Council adopted the Arts and Heritage Master Plan (AHMP). The plan laid out a vision for heritage conservation in Abbotsford. It covered civic governance, heritage information, heritage communication and awareness, partnership opportunities, and OCP opportunities. Subsequent to adoption of the AHMP, Council adopted the Heritage Strategic Plan (HSP) on March 7, 2005. The HSP identified the status of heritage within the city, established goals, and action items to achieve them. The Official Community Plan (OCP) supports heritage through the creation of the Clayburn Heritage Conservation Area and contains conservation guidelines. The OCP was amended in 2005 to include these heritage provisions and is presently under review. To date, Abbotsford has accomplished, as a result of the three plans, the creation of a Community Heritage Register, the Clayburn Heritage Conservation Area, The Reach Gallery Museum Abbotsford (which contains archival research information), and continues support of the MSA Museum Society (responsible for the Trethewey House heritage site).

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Community Heritage Register A community heritage register is governed by the Local Government Act, Part 27- Heritage Conservation, Section 954 The benefits of a Community Heritage Register (CHR) are:

• The public is able to appreciate the identity and character of a site; • The public has access to heritage information; • The City can monitor changes; • Properties on a CHR are eligible for special BC Building Code provisions; and • The existence of the Register is the basis of eligibility for Senior Government

grants.

Levels of Heritage Recognition There are different levels/types of heritage recognition and protection:

1. Heritage inventory

No legal protection or recognition. No permission is required by the property owner or by Council. Staff may use a heritage inventory to flag potential properties of heritage significance so that if a property owner applies for rezoning or development, further investigation may be initiated.

2. Heritage Plaque or Marker

“The local government may have a plaque or other marker installed to indicate recognition under the Local Government Act subsection 955.2, subject to the requirement that “permission for this must be obtained from the owner of the property on which the marker is installed.”

The following communities currently have a heritage signage program:

Chilliwack Maple Ridge Township of Langley Victoria Vancouver

3. Community Heritage Register

No legal protection is afforded by listing alone. Registration is not listed on the Land Title and does not create any financial liability for the local government. It allows a withholding of approval of a demolition permit for a short amount of time. No permission is required by the property owner for the site to be listed, although a property owner may nominate their site for listing. Listing provides recognition by a city of the heritage significance of a site. Properties on a Register are eligible for special provisions, including equivalencies under the B.C. Building Code, alternative compliance under the Energy Efficiency Requirements and exemptions from the Homeowner Protection Act. Approval by Council is required and a Statement of Significance is highly recommended to show suitability. The Provincial Registrar is notified when a property is listed.

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4. Municipal Bylaw

Legal heritage protection is afforded by bylaws; Local Government Act Section 967-970.

Three of the five properties currently on the Community Heritage Register are protected by bylaw. One of the properties that is not protected by bylaw (the Gur Sikh Temple) is protected under Section 13 of the Heritage Conservation Act as a Provincially recognized site. It is also federally recognized. “If a designation by a heritage designation bylaw causes, or will cause at the time of designation, a reduction in the market value of the designated property, the local government must compensate an owner of the designated property who makes an application under subsection (2), in an amount or in a form the local government and the owner agree on or, failing an agreement, in an amount or in a form determined by binding arbitration under subsection (4).” (Local Government Act, Section 970)

A local government may establish minimum maintenance standards under the Local Government Act, Section 970.

5. Provincial Heritage Register

Legal protection is afforded under Section 13 of the Heritage Conservation Act. Listing on a community heritage register is not a pre-requisite. Under Section 10.2 a property owner has 30 days to serve the minister with a notice of objection.

6. Canadian Register of Historic Places (CHRP)

The CHRP provides a single source of information about historic places recognized for their heritage value at the local, provincial, territorial, and national levels throughout Canada. The nominator is the Federal, Provincial, or Territorial Registrar. A historic place is a structure, building, group of buildings, district, landscape, archaeological site or other place in Canada that has been formally recognized for its heritage value by an appropriate authority within a jurisdiction.

The Abbotsford Heritage Register includes 8 documented historic sites;

1. Trethewey House, 2313 Ware Street (municipally designated: HCA Bylaw 2113) Adopted May 4, 1981; Was built in 1920 by Joseph Ogle Trethewey- owner of the Abbotsford Lumber Company. The Lumber company was a major employer in the area and there is a rich history of immigration and cooperation with new settlers to Canada

2. Clayburn School, 4315 Wright Road (municipally designated: HCA Bylaw 1700)

Adopted October 11, 1978;

3. Clayburn Church, 4280 Wright Road (municipally designated: HCA Bylaw 1535) Adopted October 4, 1978 Clayburn Church (1912) and Clayburn School (1907-1908) These two buildings were built in BC’s first company town, Clayburn Village. The Village and brick plant were founded in 1905 by Charles Maclure, son of John Maclure , originally from England. The Clayburn plant operated until the 1930’s and the Village is now a heritage conservation area.

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4. 1911 Sikh Temple, 33089 South Fraser Way, (National Historic Site Status) July 2002;

5. Old South Poplar School, 32746 Huntingdon, Abbotsford (listed 2006)

The South Poplar area was named for the trees planted by 11-year-old Will Hill-Tout on the hilltop at the corner of Clearbrook and King Roads. The one room schoolhouse was built to accommodate the large number of Mennonite settlers arriving in the area. They had no electricity or water and drinking water, one bucket per day, was carried from the Green farm to the school by the janitor, H.C. Green, was contracted to clear one acre of land and build the school and the fence for approximately $1,200.

6. The former Great Northern Railway bridge site and embankment (Ellwood/Fishtrap Creek Park) Maclure Rd The Great Northern Railway was built through this area as the Vancouver, Victoria and Eastern Railway between Huntingdon and Cloverdale in 1908. The company generated business in the area of present day Abbotsford by means of sidings at Abbotsford, Abbotsford Timber Spur, Pine Grove Lumber Company Spur, Pinegrove and the Fish Trap Pit. By 1924 a mixed goods and passenger train crossed over the bridge at this location daily except Sunday. The remains of the former Great Northern Railway trestle bridge over the Fishtrap Creek has heritage significance for its capacity to interpret the history of the railway which traversed rugged forested land in this vicinity prior to the expansion of the City of Abbotsford along the route of the Old Yale Road. The height of the surviving earthworks together with the implied dimensions of the mostly demolished trestle bridge provide an

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indication of the scale of investment and the aspirations of the V.V and E, a subsidiary of James J. Hill’s GNR. This significance is enhanced by the site’s association with the history of southern British Columbia which was dominated for a period by the vigorous rivalry between the GNR and the Canadian Pacific Railway at least up until James J. Hill’s death in 1916

7. The former Abbotsford Lumber Company Log Dump (at Mill Lake Park) The remains of the Abbotsford Lumber Company log dump consisting of a row of piles and associated pile cluster are historically significant for their capacity to recall Abbotsford’s founding years as a settlement when the logging industry constituted a vital part of its economic base. They are closely associated with the lake itself which served as a storage pond and with the home of the Trethewey family facing Ware Street

8. A portion of Old Yale Road, also known as the New Westminster - Hope Wagon Road (located from approximately 39180 Old Yale Road to Vye Road, located approximately at 39623 Old Yale Road) This section of the former New Westminster – Hope Wagon Road is historically significant as a substantially intact remnant of the first east-west land route through the Fraser Valley which was important to the early settlement of the region. This significance is enhanced by the route adopted along the lower slopes of Vedder Mountain, bearing testimony to the former presence of Sumas Lake prior to it being drained in 1924 and comparing in this respect with the route adopted by the former BC Electric parallel with the alignment of Vye Road.

Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada In 2001, the Federal, Provincial and Territorial governments collaborated to create the Canadian Register of Historic Places (CRHP). In 2010, the second edition of the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada document was produced. The document contains nationally accepted standards and practices regarding heritage conservation and may act a valuable resource for both staff and the public. The Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada is a best practices manual that has been created by senior levels of government and Parks Canada. Adoption of this tool will provide, “sound, practical guidance to achieve good conservation practice. [It] establishes a consistent, pan-Canadian set of conservation principles and guidelines… When adopted by a government or funding organization, the Standards and Guidelines may form the basis for review and assessment of a conservation project before the project starts, and again upon completion” It is referenced in the professional Clayburn Church and Clayburn School Conservation and Maintenance Plans completed in November 2013, and was adopted (the first edition) in 2009 by Maple Ridge to guide the conservation of their protected heritage sites. This document provides information and enhanced customer service for the residents of our community, and be a valuable resource. This national best-practice manual includes:

• The conservation decision-making process; • The conservation treatments: preservation, rehabilitation and restoration; • The standards for the conservation of historic places in Canada; • The guidelines for the conservation of historic places in Canada; • Guidelines for cultural landscapes, including heritage districts;

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• Guidelines for archaeological sites; • Guidelines for buildings; and • Guidelines for engineering works, including civil, industrial and military works,

and guidelines for materials. The Reach/MSA Museum Society Governance Staff has been working with organizations on developing clarity in the MSA Museum Society and The Reach mandates, artifact collection, archives and storage. The issues of the rights of ownership, management, and storage of the artifact collection, governance of the Reach Board and funding sources continue to be issues for both organizations. The resignation of the Executive Director of the Reach Gallery and Museum provided an opportunity for staff to facilitate and mediate with a “fresh perspective” and further collaboration and initiatives have taken place Public Art Policy Public art is an important tool in creating a unique sense of place. Cities across North America struggle to differentiate themselves from others in the competition to attract new business, families, tourism spending and a skilled workforce. Pubic art has emerged over the last three decades as an integral part to complete and vibrant communities. The implementation of the public art in for a City allocation of 1% of City capital facility budgets towards public art, not only beautifies the community, but promotes creative expression and community engagement. Additionally public art:

1. increases civic pride; 2. discourages litter and graffiti; 3. discourages criminal activity by becoming a visual focal point and creating “eyes” on the

street; 4. creates improved livable spaces; and, 5. contributes to inclusiveness by providing opportunities to collaborate with, and engage

the community as it celebrates heritage, diversity, and multiculturalism. Through the development permit process the private sector will also be encouraged, on a voluntary basis, to adopt a public art responsibility on new construction in the City. To date the City has installed public art at

• Fire Hall #8 • The library at Abbotsford Collegiate • Discovery Trail Section 3 plaza • Clearbrook interchange - The raspberry piece at Clearbrook was designed by a local

artist and amateur historian, Manjit Singh Sandhu. The stylized form of a raspberry plant is informed by our agricultural history, and status of ‘The Raspberry Capital of Canada’.

• McCallum interchange - The sculpture at McCallum was designed by local Sumas First Nation artist Raphael Silver, and depicts the lifecycle of the salmon. The salmon are viewed as a gift to the people of the Sto:lo nation and the sculpture is reflective of the culture’s reverence for the animal.

In addition the City has partnered with the University of the Fraser Valley annually, since 2010, to enhance artist capacity by creating a public art commission project specifically geared towards students at Abbotsford Exhibition Park, the Abbotsford Recreation Centre and Matsqui Recreation Centre.

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Performing Arts As the City increases in population, there will be a need for some new cultural amenities, including a performing arts facility and arts programming space, the former Parks, Recreation & Culture Commission recommended future work towards the development of new cultural facilities, including a theatre with small, medium and large performing arts spaces; rehearsal/script workshop space; and arts programming space. In 2007 Proscenium Architecture presented the completed a feasibility study of the Matsqui Centennial Auditorium (MCA) to a Special (Closed) meeting, recommending a cautious approach to building any new and significant art facilities due to the planned completion of the Reach and the Abbotsford Centre. Their review of the MCA provided three choices for consideration. The key recommendations being considered, with no action to date, are the displacement of Council Chambers, and major upgrades to the theatre. Black Box Theatre A Black Box Theatre Study was completed in 2011 for renovations to the Community Arts Addition at the Abbotsford School District Abbotsford Arts Centre. CEI Architecture provided the following information after receiving the input from the meeting and estimated costs at $700,000:

• 180 seat retractable seating; • Sprung floor for fixed new or renovated area to provide- new change rooms, tech

balcony, entrance/pre-function space, upgrade washrooms; • Upgrade HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) & lighting (Class C level- no

mechanical consultants at this stage); • Upgrade acoustics (Class C level - no mechanical consultants at this stage); and • FFE (furniture, fixtures and equipment) allocation for theatrical lighting/controls (Class

C level - no mechanical consultants at this stage). Digital Hub UFV proposal for a digital media production center for students and staff, a performance venue and teaching space, two theatres; one proscenium of 600 seats, and another black box or thrust theatre of 200 seats. Total budget of: $50 M - $5 M UFV; $30M Government; $15M local industry/ partners. CULTURE DAYS As a leading national voice for the active and engaged cultural life of all Canadians, Culture Days provides support, tools and resources to a wide variety of artists and cultural organizations to help them unite the country through engagement in culture. National Culture Days take place September 25, 26 and 27, 2015, the local culture community is presently collaborating their efforts –specific details will be shared with Council shortly. It will l feature free, hands-on, interactive activities that invite the public to participate “behind-the scenes,” to discover the world of artists, creators, historians, architects, curators, designers and other creative people in our community. Through thousands of free activities across the country, Culture Days promotes inclusivity, awareness, participation and engagement in arts and culture for all Canadians. It bridges the gap

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between Canada's communities and citizens, highlighting the notion that culture is for everyone, regardless of age, geography, background or income. Through its various mediums, Culture Days places a spotlight on the essential contribution that a vibrant arts and cultural life brings to the economic and social well-being and development to all communities across Canada throughout the year. The following are some of the current and projected positive impacts:

• Increased community and corporate engagement; • Increased sense of place; • Increased feelings of community pride and connectedness by the public; • Increased awareness of opportunities to participate in the cultural life of the city; • Promotion of mental health and increased joy; • Increased awareness and understanding of different cultural traditions; • Strengthened relationships between cultural organizations and the City; • Increased volunteerism; • Support of audience development for local artistic talent; and • Value for the taxpayer

Former PRC Commission Priority for Culture

1. Mill Lake Park Master Plan to take into consideration the request from the MSA museum Society for a Discovery Village based on its strategic plan.

Feedback from Stakeholders relevant to Mill Lake Park :

• The Arts Council requires more facilities for music; • MSA Museum Society would like to see expansion of the museum area for the Heritage

Village concept; • There should be a plan for property acquisition and removal of houses, with the park

continuing to be developed like “Central Park”; • The Vision should be enlarged and the park expanded to optimize attraction to others,

but it has to be calculated and comprehensive – in order to make it the “crown jewel”; • The park needs to be a pastoral and pristine place to attract people with more activities,

an outdoor theatre/bandshell, and a tea house; • There should be a plaza area with seating;

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• The Museum needs to be expanded in order to show the artefacts; • Development of the Museum Discovery Centre is required in order to have it as an

educational centre, but at the same time, not overpower the green space; • It needs to be a cultural centre with increased programs and activities; • There should be a “sculpture park” component – similar to what Seattle has; • We need to utilize the existing assets that we have, such as the mobile stage and

possibly leaving it at the park throughout the summer; • There needs to be increased performance space and “disorganized” play activities; • The park should be a place “where you hear the sounds of children playing,

musicians/buskers performing, there is an Amphitheatre with performances, and it is a beautiful place to contemplate and inspire.

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