City council is backing a local art gallery’s bid to move to the waterfront.
The Thunder Bay Art Gallery has been looking for a new home since 2010 as it can’t permanently display many of its collections, including Aboriginal and local woodland art. It’s looking to build a 36,000 square foot gallery on the waterfront, estimated to cost around $25 million.
The city currently gives $242,734 to the gallery every year, about 27 per cent of its operating budget. While approved unanimously, councillors like Rebecca Johnson wondered if the city could afford to help with the new building.
“We only have so much money,” she said.
City manager Tim Commisso said it’s a matter of looking at capital priorities over the next five years for the city. But programs like the provincial Northern Ontario Heritage Fund and the federal Canada Cultural Spaces do have funding available for things like art galleries.
Coun. Larry Hebert worried that another building on the waterfront might cause congestion.
“We’re trying to force things down there,” he said.
But mayor Keith Hobbs said congestion for a place like the city’s waterfront is a good problem to have as it means people are using the space.
“I want congestion down there,” he said. “I want people to spend their money downtown.”
Coun. Linda Rydholm wondered whether there is a lot of competition for waterfront property. City infrastructure and operations manager Darrell Matson said some conflicts could occur which is why the resolution approved by council says on or near a proposed site.
“We’re not saying that’s it,” he said. “There still is room for movement.”
According to an economic impact assessment the gallery would create $39 million in one-time economic output for the province, 98 per cent of which would stay local.
Another $15 million in labour income would be generated, creating 227 full-time years of employment. Visitor spending could range between $2.7 and 7 million each year based on the assumption that visitations would double and memberships to the gallery tripled, which is expected by 2018.
Public consultation will be held on the project with another report expected back to council by Dec.31.
