The arts community in Colwood has taken a big step closer to having a place to call home.

The City of Colwood has directed staff to enter into lease negotiations with the Arts and Culture Colwood Society for the use of a vacant city-owned building on Goldfinch Road to use it as a community arts centre.

Council first discussed finding a use for the building B次元官网网址� which previously was leased to a developer to use as a sales centre B次元官网网址� in April. At the time, council debated a number of possible uses for the building, including immediately leasing it to the society, but ultimately decided to hold a formal application process.

Mayor Doug Kobayashi said the city received two applications, and ultimately selected the society over the unnamed second applicant as that applicant indicated they needed public transit accessibility for their space, which the Goldfinch property would not accommodate.

B次元官网网址淲e made the decision it is a great place to put the Arts and Culture Colwood Society. They are a non-profit organization, and this building is going to facilitate programming and events for them,B次元官网网址� said Kobayashi. B次元官网网址淲e knew we wanted an arts and culture hub for the community, and with this facility coming available. It was just a natural fit.B次元官网网址�

The society has been on the hunt for a physical space for some years now, with a need for gallery and office space in particular after it absorbed Coast Collective, which in the past had its own gallery space.

B次元官网网址淲e are so excited to have been chosen through the expression-of-interest process to enter into negotiations with the City of Colwood to lease the building at 170 Goldfinch Rd. We are grateful that mayor and council have been so supportive of the arts and are confident that we can complete a negotiated lease that is beneficial to both parties,B次元官网网址� said society president Laura Davis.

B次元官网网址淲e will be able to have a hub for our membership and the public to gather routinely. It is our desire to create space that gives Colwood some unique identity and offers our local citizens new opportunities to connect and create.B次元官网网址�

While the deal is not done until the lease is negotiated and signed, Kobayashi said he feels it will be a major benefit to the community should it go through.

B次元官网网址淲e are not all sports-minded, and itB次元官网网址檚 great we have West Shore Parks and Recreation with all those great sports facilities B次元官网网址� so this would give those arts-minded people a home, and I think it will be a real achievement.B次元官网网址�

READ MORE: Success, growth continue for Arts and Culture Colwood Society in third year