Confederation Centre invites public to weigh in on planned $65M overhaul
CBC
The public will have the opportunity to weigh in on a major overhaul planned for Charlottetown's Confederation Centre of the Arts at an open house later this month.
The proposed changes include substantial renovations to existing buildings and facades, and the addition of new spaces.
Phase 1 of the project — the Victoria Row side of the centre — will cost $65 million. CEO Steve Bellamy said construction for the first phase is expected to begin at the end of summer 2024, and finish up in 2026.
Phase 2, which doesn't yet have a projected timeline, will involve changes to the Grafton Street entryways to the art gallery.
Bellamy said the plans were five years in the making, and the hope is that the centre becomes a "national culture leadership institute," a first in the country aimed at both the creation of new works, and training for artists and industry professionals.
He said input received focused three main areas. expanded and more inclusive arts education programming, a greater contribution to the creation of new visual and performing artworks, and the centre's role regarding heritage.
Abbott Brown Architects assisted in the redesign of the area, which is where the public library used to be.
"It's really important that the historic features of the building are maintained," he said.
"And at the same time, we wanted to make a number of improvements where things like accessibility and environmental impact were not the priorities in the 1960s that they are today."
The new design will have ground-level accessible entryways, more windows, solar panels and energy-efficient retrofits.
"What will look different from the outside is that on the plaza level there is a new large rehearsal hall, but it'll be a multi-use space for the community," Bellamy said.
"And then the entryway, which is currently a small doorway off Richmond Street, will be opened right up with a street level entryway ... into what is what was the middle of the old library, so very accessible."
The federal government is expected to contribute $30 million, with another $20 million from the province and $5 million from the city. The centre would raise another $10-$15 million.
"It's a significant renovation to a national historic site. But you know, it goes entirely back into the community," Bellamy said.
London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is getting rid of unlimited mental health benefits for staff, blaming ballooning costs and former administrators for implementing it without proper due diligence or oversight.
Netflix has agreed to buy Warner Bros. Discovery's TV and film studios and streaming division for $72 billion US, a deal that would hand control of one of Hollywood's most prized and oldest assets to the streaming pioneer that has upended the media industry.
CBC Calgary kicks off its annual Make the Season Kind campaign this morning at Fratello Coffee Roasters.
CBC Newfoundland and Labrador is kicking off its annual holiday campaign, helping to raise money to support local food banks.
If all goes according to plan, at 6 a.m. AT on Saturday people working at the IWK Health Centre will become the test case for a generational change to Nova Scotia’s health-care system.
One month after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced what he called "generational" military spending, New Brunswick’s defence ecosystem is on high alert.
Miranda Mirlycourtois, 34, looks directly at the camera and makes a confession.
Saskatoon city hall says police spending is projected to be $2.6 million over budget this year. That pushes the city into a $1.2-million deficit position, according to a report that will be considered by city council next week.
Students at the University of Regina are days away from deciding whether a newly formed student association should become their official representative body.
All public schools on P.E.I. are closed Friday and thousands of Maritime Electric customers are without power as strong winds create hazardous travel conditions across the province.
Prince Rupert, B.C., residents are celebrating the holidays this year with coastal flair.
In the four years Chelsey Simmonds has worked at the Eva Rothwell Centre, she has seen the need increase every year at the centre’s community food pantry.
CBC is once again looking to make the holiday season kind in Windsor-Essex.