CORNWALL – It looks like a full-fledged study on a future arts and culture center will be going ahead.
A majority of city councillors Monday night supported the writing of a staff report to come back to council next month on where the city will find $30,000 to add to the pot of $20,000 for the feasibility study.
Coun. Elaine MacDonald started out with a “shout out” to the arts community as discussion started on her motion. “As a council we have been remiss with…sporadic support (for the arts). It’s not for the sake of the artists. It’s not a charity case but we needs an arts facility,” MacDonald said.
MacDonald suggests the arts will be the economic drivers of the future and “lead us to the prosperity of the future.”
Coun. Brock Frost said he supported the motion but questioned whether a total of $50,000 will be enough to do a proper feasibility study. “Yes, $50,000 should take us to a good process,” CAO Norm Levac answered.
The previous $20,000 is coming from the CAO’s budget and was approved last year.
“We need to get the show on the road,” Coun. Carilyne Hebert exclaimed. “Let’s put our money where our mouth is. The longer we take…the longer it will take to reap the economic benefits.”
Coun. Andre Rivette says it’s a perfect example of getting ready a shovel-ready project together should future government money becomes available.
Coun. Bernadette Clement said the city has been good at supporting the sports community and now it’s time to concentrate on the arts.
A report on where the money will come form will come back to council June 8.
Be the first to comment