Christmas arrived early this year for the Bowen Island Arts Council and Bowen Island Public Library. In early December, BIAC received word that its grant application for $253,599 to the Department of Canadian Heritage’s Canada Cultural Spaces Fund was successful. The addition of the grant to the $650,000 already raised for the Cove Commons means that the project is a go and that construction can begin in the early New Year.
Pamela Goldsmith-Jones, M.P. for West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, delivered the happy news.
“The Bowen Island Arts Council and Public Library have formed a great partnership, which is a testimony to theimportance of the arts on the island. It’s a pleasure to support your continued success,” says Goldsmith-Jones.
“Investments in infrastructure do more than create good jobs and strong economic growth—they connect us to our communities and allow us to play an active role in them,” said the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage. “This new facility will be an important gathering place where people can learn, collaborate and explore. Cove Commons will be a wonderful cultural resource for residents and visitors to Bowen Island.”
Carol Cram, BIAC’s president says she was thrilled to hear the news.
“The receipt of this grant means that work can begin without delay. We are very grateful to the federal government for its vision, and its support.”
BIAC and the Bowen Island Public Library invite the community to a ground-breaking ceremony on site at the Library on Wednesday, January 18 at 1PM. M.P. Goldsmith-Jones, along with key donors and members of the project’s fundraising cabinet, will be in attendance.
The Cove Commons project includes the construction of a new 2,800 square ft. building in Snug Cove that will house the Annie-Laurie Wood Annex for the library, and a new home for the Public Art Gallery and the arts council. The two organizations have been undertaking a capital fundraising campaign for the past 18 months. Community support for the project, which will create a cultural hub in the heart of the Cove, has been very strong. While fundraising efforts aimed at adding green building technology and for an outdoor plaza will continue, the construction of the building will commence as soon as possible in 2017.
For more information, please visit www.coveculture.com, or contact us at [email protected].
