Rocky View County (RVC) council approved $50,000 towards a feasibility study and business plan for the Kiyooke Ohe (KO) Arts Centre, following the tabling of a funding request at a recent meeting.
According to Pauli Kruger, with RVC’s recreation and services department, the additional information will help ensure future projects provides thorough use of public funds.
The Kiyooke Ohe Art Centre Society had initially requested $1.25 million to construct the Pavilion Art Centre, an estimated total cost of $5,138,752. At the Nov. 24, 2105 meeting, administration recommended the feasibility study and business plan, given the scope of the project and the potential long-term operational costs for a facility of this type.
Usually, Kruger said, a request like this would require matching funds coming from the organization behind the request.
“When we returned the motion back to the (Regional Recreation Board) for consideration, one of the things we brought up in the discussion was whether or not there should be a contribution from the group,” said Corwin McCullagh, manager of recreation and community support for RVC.
“The board felt strongly enough that in this circumstance, the board should make the recommendation to fund the full amount.”
The KO Arts Centre, according to administration’s report, is an “ambitious cultural legacy project,” undertaken by celebrated artists Harry Kiyooke and Katie Ohe. The centre is to be located on the couple’s 20-acre property in Springbank, and is expected to include the development of an interpretive gallery, a pavilion, sculpture park and botanical garden.
“I understand that there is a lot of excitement in the community about the project, but I know there are some councillors who are concerned that ultimately, the request is going to come back for the entire amount from the County to do the final build,” Coun. Margaret Bahcheli said.
“But you don’t substitute your gut feel for what is an academic exercise so you can get a definitive answer from a professional.”
According to Paul Crawford, volunteer board member with the arts centre, the board does have other funding opportunities in mind – not only to build the facility, but also to sustain it for the entire county to enjoy. He added donations have already been coming in, and money has been put away for future operating costs.
“It’s not a pathway, it’s not a hockey rink, it’s not a horse, but we should actually have culture in our community, and I’m appalled that with the kind of commitments that have been made to this group, we wouldn’t give them the chance to be successful,” Coun. Bruce Kendall said.
“I believe art is a very important part of the community, and there is a void of art in a big way within (RVC).”
Bahcheli moved the request be approved, which was passed 7-2. Councillors Eric Lowther and Lois Habberfield voted in opposition.
“I find it hard to justify spending $50,000 of resident money to fund a business plan to see if this is even feasible,” Lowther said. “I’m just not comfortable with this expenditure.”
According to administration, construction of the centre is planned to be carried out in three phases – Phase 1 will include upgrading infrastructure such as utilities, roads, fencing and wetlands; Phase 2 consists of wetlands remediation; and Phase 3 will be the construction of the pavilion.
Upon its completion, the KO Arts Centre will stand as the first dedicated contemporary arts facility in Alberta. The centre’s mission is to establish, maintain and operate a centre for the exhibition of arts, to foster education in the arts, and provide scholarships to enable study and training in the arts.
“(Kiyooke and Ohe) have a real goal for what they are trying to do here,” said Crawford. “They are artists, and they are visionaries, and they are trying to leave a legacy. This could become an international attraction.”
