The organizationB次元官网网址檚 home might be on the market, but the chair of the Metchosin Arts and Cultural Centre Association (MACCA) says he isnB次元官网网址檛 concerned about their future.
Art Brendan, MACCA president, is optimistic even , the organizationB次元官网网址檚 home since it began operations eight years ago.
B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 want to be falsely optimistic or confident but I do have faith that all the people that are negotiating have the best interest of Metchosin and the West Shore at heart here,B次元官网网址� Brendan said.
Metchosin Mayor John Ranns in acquiring the property and turning it into a West Shore arts and culture hub in May and he confirmed at a June council meeting that a $700,000 offer was made for the propertyB次元官网网址檚 acquisition.
Ranns added that the schoolB次元官网网址檚 gymnasium could be used to house a 200-seat performing arts centre.
ItB次元官网网址檚 a concept that has the full support of MACCA, Brendan said.
The Sooke School District currently has the property listed at $1.5 million.
According to Ranns, Brookes School B次元官网网址� B次元官网网址� and CUPE have also expressed interest in the property, and both would be interested in working with Metchosin and its goals.
MACCA facilitates studio space for a variety of groups and artists, including the West Shore Arts Council, Metchosin Soap Works, the SeniorsB次元官网网址� Information and Resource Centre and GLOW Art Studio and Gallery.
The organization also co-sponsors annual events such as Metchosin Day and the Sheep Dog Trials. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been a very valuable space for the community not only in Metchosin, but the West Shore,B次元官网网址� Brendan said, adding support from both council and Metchosin residents has been strong during this period of uncertainty.
B次元官网网址淚 think thereB次元官网网址檚 been very positive support from [most] of the community B次元官网网址� and theyB次元官网网址檙e supportive of the mayorB次元官网网址檚 position as well.B次元官网网址� He also credited the Sooke School District for how theyB次元官网网址檝e approached the process. B次元官网网址淚 canB次元官网网址檛 get upset and IB次元官网网址檓 not. WeB次元官网网址檙e just hanging in there in good faith.B次元官网网址�
In May, Sooke School District superintendent Jim Cambridge told the Gazette that they were pursuing a sale because there is little projected growth in the area, that revenue generated from rentals doesnB次元官网网址檛 properly cover the facilityB次元官网网址檚 costs, and that the province has asked them to sell the building in light of plans for new schools.
