A $5.3-million standalone performing arts space was one of the options presented to Bradford West Gwillimbury council this week in a new cultural master plan.
The town has been working with consultants at MDB Insight for the last six months to develop a strategy for the municipality to broaden is arts and culture programming and facilities.
A proposed nearly 1,100-square-metre performing arts space could hold 300 seats, but there would be “considerable saving” if the facility was incorporated into the redevelopment of the Bradford and District Memorial Community Centre, which is now in the works, read a report submitted to council.
“It’s a great plan but also a very ambitious plan. It all comes down to costs,” said Coun. Peter Ferragine.
He said the town is looking for inclusive spaces for all residents, but some cultural groups want areas for their own events.
“There’s not a full support for all of it,” he said.
Ferragine said the town already has a number of initiatives, including flag raisings, art contests and displays, open-mic nights, and organizations such as the BWG Diversity Action Group.
“I feel we’ve already maintained and done a very good job,” he said, adding any additional options to increase arts and culture will come down to what the town can afford.
The cultural master plan has several goals, including to build a strong and sustainable cultural sector, leverage cultural resources to support downtown revitalization, and address cultural facilities and space needs.
A report submitted to council on Tuesday noted some of the town’s strengths are successful events, such as Carrot Fest and Canada Day celebrations, supportive town council and staff, and growing diversity within the local population.
Some of its weaknesses include a lack of theatre and performing arts spaces, lack of a heritage or dedicated storage space to house town artifacts, residents’ lack of knowledge of existing cultural assets, and poor connections between local artists, according to the report.
“The lack of a focal point for culture is related to what many described as a weak town identity — how do we answer and communicate what distinguishes Bradford West Gwillimbury from other communities?” the report read. “Greater profile for arts, culture and heritage resources can contribute to strengthening the town’s identity.”
Some highlights from the cultural master plan:
- Expand the public art policy and establish a public art program (estimated funding: $8,000 to $10,000 a year)
- Develop a public art master plan ($35,000 to $40,000) as a long-term project)
- Develop a heritage master plan ($60,000 to $75,000)
- Increase diversity and intercultural experiences in current and future festivals, events (use existing operating budget)
- Establish BWG Culture Award (use existing budget)
- Investigate starting an artist-in-resident program ($500 to $750 a month estimated)
- Explore potential locations for creative space (use existing budget)
- Start a one-stop information hub for start-up businesses and entrepreneurs (use existing budget)
- Develop concentrated area of culture based around the Four Corners — to be a second cultural hub along with the community centre (use new capital funding)
- Leverage the community centre redevelopment to include more cultural elements (use existing operating budget and new capital funding). Could include outdoor stages and seating, heritage facility, and space for an archives.
Council voted on Tuesday to adopt the cultural master plan in principle, but it will be implemented gradually with consideration of future budgets.
“This is something we can be proud of,” said Deputy Mayor James Leduc.
“It’s very important to recognize our heritage in this community,” added Coun. Ron Orr.
Mayor Rob Keffer also noted the cultural master plan will expand beyond the downtown and include local agricultural heritage.
“Not everything can happen in our downtown core,” he said.
Read the full cultural master plan report online.
