West Shore volunteers are determined the curtain will rise on a new community-focused arts and culture centre for the area.

While plans for the facility have been in the works for many years, Judith Cullington, president of the Juan de Fuca Performing Arts Centre Society, says the project is continuing at pace.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 full steam ahead for 2025,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淪tay tuned B次元官网网址� lots going to be happening.B次元官网网址�

Top of the list for the society is finding a location for the centre, which could include a 350-seat theatre, rooms for teaching music, drama and dance, and a fine art and pottery studio.

B次元官网网址淲e do have our eyes on several sites,B次元官网网址� says Cullington, who says the society has been focusing on the B次元官网网址渃oreB次元官网网址� area of View Royal, Colwood and Langford. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a big piece of our work for the coming year.B次元官网网址�

To help residents envision their ambition, Cullington offers SidneyB次元官网网址檚 event, conference and theatre facility, the Mary Winspear Centre, as an example of what the society is hoping to achieve.

B次元官网网址淚t's not over the top extravagant,B次元官网网址� she says about the Mary Winspear. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 by community, for community.B次元官网网址�

The need for a performance arts space on the West Shore was first identified by the Capital Regional District in the early 2000s, says Cullington, with the society picking up the baton for the search in 2016.

B次元官网网址淭here is a big hole in the West Shore,B次元官网网址� she says, explaining West Shore residents are travelling to Sidney, downtown Victoria and beyond to get their cultural fix.

B次元官网网址淲e've got a growing population, we need fabulous arts and culture facilities B次元官网网址� and they just donB次元官网网址檛 exist,B次元官网网址� said Cullington.

Alongside the ongoing search for a location, the society is planning a workshop in the spring to explore the design of the centre, with a more special event earmarked for later in the year.

Supporting the society is the inter-municipality committee, which includes representatives from all six West Shore councils B次元官网网址� Langford, Colwood, View Royal, Metchosin, Highlands and Sooke.

The committee meets once a month to explore shared funding and operating models, says Cullington, as well as the best location for the centre.

The community is also fully behind the project, she says, with locals voicing their support at multiple outreach events.

B次元官网网址淚t's all incredibly positive,B次元官网网址� said Cullington.

While the centre will provide a new home for arts and culture, worthy of note is the potential economic value of the centre for the West Shore, says Cullington.

"This is a huge investment in the community B次元官网网址� weB次元官网网址檙e currently missing out,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淭his is about building community ... creating joy, and it's about economic development B次元官网网址� it's all of those things."

To find out more about the Juan de Fuca Performing Arts Centre Society, visit the website: .