The city of Williams Lake supported the first step in a possible expansion of the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Centre.
Melissa Normandin, executive director of the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Society (CCACS), spoke at the committee of the whole meeting at city hall on Feb. 25.
City council and staff at the meeting heard how the CCACS would like to initiate a feasibility study in order to be eligible for possible funding opportunities in the future.
Normandin explained to city council and senior staff how the demand for community spaces continues to grow, with the centre seeing a 12 per cent increase in rental space use over the last two years.
Normandin, with Harry Jennings, president of the CCACS board, said the arts centre has zero per cent vacancy for arts space in the building. The building currently rents spaces to the Williams Lake Fibre Artists' Guild, Cariboo Potters Guild, Cariboo Arts Society, and the Williams Lake Community Arts Council.
In order to meet the demand, the arts centre wants to look at expanding in their current location, 90 Fourth Avenue North, which is a city building.
Council expressed support for the arts centre maintaining their current central location, and voted unanimously to support putting forward a recommendation to a city council meeting in support of the initial step in a possible expansion. The CCACS needed the city's permission to pursue a feasibility study because it is city property, but the society will pursue grant funding to make the study happen.
While Jennings said the location would not be big enough for a performing arts space, there is still an opportunity on the existing lot to expand to increase the capacity for the arts centre.
Jennings made it clear the feasibility study is just an initial step in a potential expansion, the goal is to have the study done in order to be eligible for future funding opportunities.
Concerns over sufficient parking for an expanded centre were discussed, including being able to use city hall parking after city hall hours.
Coun. Joan Flaspohler wanted to clarify with staff there wouldn't potentially be a need for a second fire hall location to meet insurance requirements in the future.
"I don't think you could even physically get in that building and re-establish a fire hall," said Gary Muraca, chief administrative officer for the city.
Once staff clarified they don't see the building, which was a fire hall in the past, as being a realistic location for a second fire hall, she said she supports the feasibility study and potential expansion.
Jennings said there is consideration being given to the building's history as they go forward.
The process will start with just finding out if it is even possible to expand the space to include a larger gathering space.
"The location is excellent for expansion, if it's at all possible," said Jennings.
This initial step would help support an exploration of grant funding.
"It's a positive kind of look ahead," said Jennings.
The arts centre is currently operated under a shared funding agreement between the city and the Cariboo Regional District areas D, E, and F.
Coun. Scott Nelson spoke in favour of the resolution to support the study, but cautioned his colleagues council may need to step up later.
"Obviously I'm a huge arts supporter ... be prepared, so by saying yes today, means that you're going to be supporting it as you go along," said Nelson.
The recommendation put forward to be passed at a city council meeting is for the city to "endorse and support a feasibility study exploring the substantive expansion and enhancement of the existing Central Cariboo Arts Centre, including an increase in the building's footprint's size and capacity."
The recommendation went on to direct staff to begin discussions addressing parking requirements and capacity if development moves ahead.
