Sharon Godwin thinks moving the Thunder Bay Art Gallery to the city’s waterfront could double traffic.
It’s a move she and the Gallery’s board of directors are hoping city council can be convinced to make as early as the end of 2017, pending provincial and federal contributions, combined with a local fundraising campaign.
The Art Gallery has been housed at Confederation College for the past 37 years, but has outgrown its present facility, Godwin said.
An expansion of their existing facility, which they lease from the college for $1 a year, is the back-up plan, Godwin said Thursday.
“Basically to move to the waterfront, it would be a few million dollars,” Godwin said. “We’ve been in talks already with the federal government. There are programs to support this kind of building campaign. “
The location they’re looking at is a vacant piece of land adjacent to the spirit garden.
“It’s inside the Pearl Street entrance way and a bit south of the spirit garden, near the tugboat basin.”
Not counting exterior program, Godwin estimated about 25,000 people visit the Art Gallery each year.
“The economic impact study really looked at much more than doubling that attendance,” she said, referencing the study, which has yet to be made public or be seen by council, that recommends the waterfront move.
“With the walk-by traffic that would happen at the waterfront, with the visibility we would have at the waterfront, we think our attendance would grow substantially.”
This is the main reason the board prefers relocation to expansion, she added.
“The board has really focused in on the waterfront as the better of those two choices, and visibility is the reason why. It’s very difficult to have a visible presence in the city when we are tucked away on the college campus.”
Waterfront Development Committee chairman Mark Bentz was contacted for comment, but was not immediately available on Thursday afternoon.
However, at-large Coun. Larry Hebert said via email the plan has its merits, if conducted properly.
"Depending where they go on the waterfront. It could be a good idea. I would not want it to be right at Prince Arthur's Landing as I think we have enough stuff there now. Maybe the Pool Six site. Expanding where they are is another option and if we have enogh property what about clustering it with a new revitalized Conservatory. I do not know if council would financially support it. Would depend on leveraging money but the Conservatory site may be one where council support could happen," Hebert said.
Godwin said the Gallery wouldn’t need dedicated parking at the waterfront, though on at least a couple of occasions each year the facility does draw large crowds.
