Cultural Centre Feasibility Task Force is now in place
Submitted by Susan Taylor
In January 2020, after working together with municipal leaders and Councillors since 2015, Council approved the recommendation of establishing a Cultural Centre Feasibility Task Force.
In establishing the Task Force, Council also approved a contribution of $50,000 which will match a private donation made to Kawartha Lakes Arts Council in 2017. Task Force members will include Councillors Tracey Richardson and Kathleen Seymour Fagan, a representative of Kawartha Lakes Arts Council and of Kawartha Lakes Culture & Heritage Network and three community members.
The goals of the Task Force are to participate in the selection and oversight of a consulting firm which will:
Assess proposed models for a cultural centre/hub
Recommend proposed site(s)
Recommend capital and operating models
Recommend potential funding sources (all levels of government, and private support)
Recommend potential governance models
In July 2020, in response to the 2020 priorities for the economic recovery of our community due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Boards of Kawartha Lakes Arts Council and Kawartha Lakes Culture & Heritage Network made the decision to ask Council to delay initiating the City's $50,000 matching funds to KLAC’s $50,000 for a Feasibility Study in 2020 until 2021.
As of April 7, 2021 the Cultural Centre Feasibility Task Force is in place, to guide the outcome of the feasibility study, which will equip Council, municipal staff and the cultural partners and organizations to make strategic investments in the creative economy of Kawartha Lakes and contribute to the economic and social well-being of our community.
