The society operating the Coast Collective has run the numbers, and they donB次元官网网址檛 look good.
After seven years in an idyllic seaside mansion near Esquimalt Lagoon, the Coast Collective Art Centre will close its doors there on Dec. 20, executive director Cindy Moyer said.
Hundreds of artists that have attended workshops, galleries and a plethora of cultural events at the Havenwood property and Pendray house will see the bulk of the operation move in the wake of construction on the property that could last four years.
B次元官网网址淲e have determined we canB次元官网网址檛 survive if there is a tremendous dip in visitors and attendant sales that go with the visitors,B次元官网网址� Moyer said. B次元官网网址淲hether it is workshop part or people that come to the gift shop or visit the tranquil lagoon there has to be a critical mass of sales.B次元官网网址�
Moyer said those sales would not be met during construction of 33 high-end waterfront condos for Pacific Landing, the developers of which own the entire property. She added that the developer has welcomed them to remain on the property as long as they need, but Moyer said once shovels hit the dirt, the disruptions would negatively impact a non-profit that already lives B次元官网网址渉and to mouth.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淲e understand it is not up to the developer to underwrite a non profit and we must live up to our mandate,B次元官网网址� she said, B次元官网网址�(which is) promoting arts in the community and contributing to the culture of society.B次元官网网址�
Moyer said even B次元官网网址渃onservativeB次元官网网址� estimates of a loss of 25 per cent of their business could cause a net result of the organization folding out of the location at some point anyway, even if they decided to wait it out.
B次元官网网址淲e are talking about the fibre of community and culture offering a collective presence, but there is a cost to providing that and the amount we have from the community to provide that is negligible,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚f you do that math, if you take out 25 per cent, how do you make month end?B次元官网网址� she asked. B次元官网网址淲e live on volunteer equity the likes of which many donB次元官网网址檛 appreciate and there is a breaking point. If we donB次元官网网址檛 change B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 over.B次元官网网址�
One potential new home is in Westridge Landing, a Wale Road development finishing its final phase of build out with the new Holiday Inn Express Suites Victoria B次元官网网址� Colwood.
A board vote for the Society for Arts on the South Island, which operates Coast Collective, takes place this Sunday (Sept. 13) on whether that location works.
Colwood Mayor Carol Hamilton said there is always give and take, but the potential new location would boast much more visibility and walk-by traffic than the Heatherbell Road location.
B次元官网网址淵ou hate to leave that wonderful location absolutely, but like anything (involving) construction B次元官网网址� You canB次元官网网址檛 wait to find out (what happens) you have to be proactive,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淒eveloper-wise they would certainly entertain having them back when things are more amenable and perhaps it will come and maybe it wonB次元官网网址檛, maybe they will find their vibrancy moving over to Wale road?B次元官网网址�
Hamilton said when the Capital City Centre project got underway, some business relocated from there as well, she has seen some of the negative impacts development can have on nearby business. It has even happened to her, saying when there was construction nearby her business she may as well have B次元官网网址渃losed the doors for the two monthsB次元官网网址� while it was taking place.
B次元官网网址淚 think for those of us that have grown up with the Coast Collective we knew where it was and quite frankly know itB次元官网网址檚 a hidden gem, but not easy to get the word out B次元官网网址� It doesnB次元官网网址檛 have that street-side presence,B次元官网网址� Hamilton said. B次元官网网址�(Now) they have a real opportunity to expand, grow, thrive and really be successful. ItB次元官网网址檚 like family, they have been born and raised here and we would like to see them continue their growth and life here because I do think it brings more to the (community).
alim@goldstreamgazette.com
