There is support in principle for a local art gallery should it choose to move to the waterfront.
The Thunder Bay Art Gallery came before city council in June saying it needs to double its current 30,000 square foot space near Confederation College or relocate. After meeting with city’s waterfront development committee, city administration will present a letter to council Monday saying there is support in principle and land available if the art gallery wants it. City community services manager Greg Alexander said the gallery would be a good fit for the waterfront.
“It would certainly complement the Prince Arthur’s Landing development in an excellent way and would help us with our objective of getting lots of traffic lots of interest and lots of opportunity for people to do things on the warfront itself,” Alexander said.
The gallery has a permanent 1,500-piece collection that needs room to be displayed. A large amount of that work is Aboriginal art. With the new spirit garden on the former Wilson Street headlands, Alexander said there is vacant land south of Pearl Street that would be a good spot for the gallery. He cautioned that a lot of work needs to be done before that location would be finalized though.
“But as a preliminary place that would seem to make sense,” Alexander said.
It’s ultimately up to the gallery whether it wants to move or expand.
“It’s now back with the gallery to make those decisions and to decide when they’re ready to come forward and talk to council again,” Alexander said.
