The votes are in and Coast Collective is moving to a new home.
With construction set to begin around the arts centreB次元官网网址檚 mansion home, Society for Arts on the South Island members voted unanimously Sunday to move from the idyllic Heatherbell Road location along Esquimalt Lagoon to the new Westridge Landing on Wale Road.
B次元官网网址淚 think what was gratifying was that it was unanimous, that is what really stood out for me,B次元官网网址� executive director Cindy Moyer said. B次元官网网址淚 had hoped the vote would be positive, because the alternative of closing the Coast Collective would certainly be a disappointment.B次元官网网址�
The Society, operating the centre out of the 1927-built Pendray House since 2008, collectively decided they needed to relocate to survive. on the 12-acre property, with 33 high-end waterfront condos in the works, members voted 23-0 in favour of the move. Developer Pacific Landing welcomed the arts centre to stay, but construction could last for several years.
The move takes the artist collective into a new 3,000-square-foot facility in the same building as the new Holiday Inn Express Suites Victoria B次元官网网址� Colwood, which is slated to open Nov. 2 at 318 Wale Rd. The space will be adjacent to the hotel lobby, near a street level restaurant next door, a dance studio and a fitness studio. Ample streetside and underground parking will accompany the space.
B次元官网网址淲e are looking forward to having a really animated centre where thereB次元官网网址檚 lots going on,B次元官网网址� Moyer said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e been very much in a bird sanctuary and that has been very therapeutic and inspiring in many ways. But this will be a more urban experience and weB次元官网网址檙e looking forward to it.B次元官网网址�
Leasehold improvements to the brand new purpose-built space will begin immediately with the construction of a bathroom, office space, storage space and walls to separate the gift shop, the gallery and the workspace.
The owners of Westridge Landing will foot the multi-thousand dollar bill for the improvements. Company director and part owner, Lloyd Wansbrough, is excited to welcome the arts group to their new home Dec. 1.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 (all) about people,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淐indy and all the executive of the Collective are just so passionate. They want to see good things for the community as well as bring culture to the West Shore.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淲e saw that as a real positive (with) similar interests to what Westridge is trying to do, so in that way it is a very good fit,B次元官网网址� he added.
With a new artisan market coming to the facility on Wednesday and Sunday evenings, Wansbrough said the partnership could also be a fruitful one for Colwood, where he and his family have lived for more than 40 years.
B次元官网网址淗ere is an opportunity to contribute back to community. There is no other art centre in the West Shore, so I didnB次元官网网址檛 want to see them move out of the (area) or essentially die a slow death where they are,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 good for the community; itB次元官网网址檚 way better for Coast, because they will get so much more exposure just based on location. I think as a family we are interested in getting arts and culture into the Western Communities. Here is a way we can do that.B次元官网网址�
alim@goldstreamgazette.com
