Castlegar News 1986 Review, March 30, 1986 Know Anyone New Who Has Recently Moved To Our Fair City? , We Would Like To Welcome Them Services Welcome Wagon Provides: * Welcoming New Residents * Welcoming New Babies aan, COME Nig Welcome Wagon Call: Connie — 365-7601 Joyce — 365-3091 COUNT ON THE COMMERCE FOR THE THINGS YOU NEED IN A BANK. AND MORE. ake a look at what the Commerce can do for you. We offer a full range of banking services. Stop by for a chat soon. We're as easy to talk to as we are to work with. At the Commerce we're dedicated to finding better and easier ways to help you manage ahh EXPANSION PLAN ., . The West Kootenay National Exhibition Centre plans a $927,000 two-phase expansion NEC'S 10TH ANNIVERSARY the collecting of two and three dimensional fine crafts. The expansion of the Centre will total $927,000 and would be achieved through two phases. Phase I would see the establishment of the Castlegar/Discovery Room, renovations to the existing galleries and further SEES CHANGES “Changes” was a fitting theme to celebrate the 1Utn anniversary of the West Kootenay National Exhibition Centre and an accurate description of it's history and plans for the future. Beginning in January 1985, the Centre employed a full-time assistant director for programs. Ri to the support areas of the Centre. Phase II would see the addition of a second gallery and program room as well as further renovations to the existing space. Unveiled at the 10th anniversary celebration dinner, Sept. 14, 1985, these plans have met with a great deal of support in the community. Like the NEC, the community wished to promote both its rich history and it's artistic resources. The Centre began implementation of the planning need on the part of the region's school districts rhe low-cost in-class programs, the Centre _set about study i in the fall of 1985. Applications were made to the City of Castlegar; the National Museums of Canada upgrading program: the job modifying it's existing programs and new activities that would be portable. The success of these programs is evidenced by the fact that in an eight-month period (February-May and September-December), in it's first year, the Centre reached approximately 35 per cent of the region's 11,000 school children. Programs include: hands-on activities, lectures, museum kits and when possible, visits to the Centre. Continuing in the tradition begun in 1984, the Centre sought to diversify and expand it's municipal funding base. Again, the Centre met with success. Funding from the Regional District of Central Kootenay increased from $3,300 in 1984-85 to $4,385 in 1985-86, an increase of 31 per cent, as a result of a dramatic increase in aid from the municipal councils of Nelson and New Denver. In all, municipal aid rose six per cent, which while modest, also includes funds from new sources. In recognition of the value of good museum planning, the board of trustees of the Centre commissioned a planning study from the Toronto firm of Lord and Lord, Cultural Resource Planning and Management Consul tants, in association with architect Henry Hawthorn. The planning study was completed over a three-month period and was concerned with a study of ; and the Tourism Industry Development Subsidiary Agreement. In all, the first half of this phase of development will cost about $250,000. Recently, the Centre received confirmation from the City of Castlegar for a grant-in-aid of almost $22,000 which would cover a.percentage of the supplies and architect's fees for the construction of the Castlegar/ Discovery Room. Pending similar confirmation from other sources, the Centre hopes to begin actual construction by mid-summer. To continue in the tradition of “Changes,” the Centre also took a quantum leap from being simply a consumer of travelling exhibits to an active generator Slated to open in January 1987, in Summerside, P.E.L., the Centre, together with the Kootenay Boundary Artisans Alliance, has produced a travelling exhibit of fine crafts entitled “A Show of Hands.” This exhibit, consisting of approximately 30 of the finest examples of West Kootenay craftsmanship, will be exhibited in the Maritimes; Ontario; the Northwest Territories; Manitoba; Alberta and B.C. over a two-year period. The West Kootenay National Exhibition Centre has also become more directly involved in the national scene through the election of its director, Lucille Doucette, to the community; the Centre's progr the buildi the collection and present and future funding sources. The study was also concerned with the future direction of the organization. What the consultants found, was a series of quality programs, that were becoming increasingly difficult to produce because of the inadequacies of the building and a depressed economy. What followed was a series of 26 recommendations detailing all aspects of the Centre's activities. Among these ions was an achi plan for expansion which would see the Centre double in size to accommodate the Castlegar Museum and a second gallery for the display of regional arts and crafts. The Centre would also expand its mandate to include rep B.C. on the of the Council of National Exhibition Centre Directors. The executive of this council has been very involved in the review of the 1972 National Museum Policy and more recently on the task force mandated to review the Crown corporation, National Museums of Canada. The executive is also active in lobbying for federal support of the National Exhibition Centre program For 10 years, the West Kootenay National Exhibition Centre has been a window on the world for this region. With recent innovations and with the prospect of a brighter and expanded future, the NEC takes on an additional role. It would seem that the Centre will also be the world’s window on the West Kootenay. Curriers in larger premises 295 COLUMBIA AVE. Monday - Thursday 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Saturday Closed 365-7244 your finances. We're dedicated to providing you with the best banking services available in Canada. ‘Count on the Commerce’ for the things you need in a bank and more.