Built by volunteers in 1948 using salvaged posts and beams from the Columbia River Lumber Company buildings circa 1911, the Town of Golden in partnership with Kicking Horse Culture has secured funding to “re-birth” the Golden Civic Centre as the community’s only dedicated performing arts and cultural centre. The hall is scheduled to open in Fall 2011.
This is how the hall looked in 2006.
Here’s a Timeline of significant events leading to the re-birth that started in September 2010.
- August, 2006:Final Report of GAI Community Consultation and Cultural Scan: Recommendation for a dedicated community cultural centre.
- Fall 2006: discussions with Civic Centre Society and Town of Golden re: transfer of Civic Centre management to Kicking Horse Culture.
- February 1, 2007: KHC signs contract with Town to manage Civic Centre.
- March 11/12, 2007: KHC’s ‘cultural carpenters’ volunteer to build new stage – $10,000 donated labour and materials.
- March 14, 2007: KHC sends letter to Town Council requesting Re-Birth of the Civic Centre.
- July 5, 2007: Staff recommendation to Council for terms of reference for Select Committee – approved.
- October 16, 2007: Select Committee meets (Phil Taylor, Chris Hambruch, Cleo Corbett, Tim Suddaby, Helena Oosthoek, Bill Usher).
- Fall 2007: KHC awarded $100,000 from Columbia Basin Trust Community Development Fund towards the re-birth of the Civic Centre.
- November 2007 through January 2008:KHC awarded $36,000 CBT funds with Town support to 1. upgrade stage electrical wiring; 2. install theatrical curtains and lights.
- February 2008: Select Committee commissions Len Brown Architect to advise the committee re: the redevelopment of the Civic Centre. Civic Centre Redevelopment Masterplan tabled with the committee Jan. 2009.
- January 2009: KHC co-authors Towns For Tomorrow funding application to the Province; subsequently awarded $400,000 towards the re-birth.
- June 2009: KHC co-authors Community Adjustment Funds application to WED for $500,000; Town commits $300,000 funds with confirmed $100,000 CBT and $400,000 Towns for Tomorrow; WED request subsequently denied.
- July 2009: KHC awarded $30,600 CBT Community Initiatives funds to commission Leonard Brown Architects to create an Integrated Design Process.
- October 2009: LBA signs agreement with Town and KHC re: IDP for Civic Centre.
- December 2009: Original Civic Centre Re-Birth Select Committee discharged
- February, 2010: Civic Centre Redevelopment Select Committee commissioned. The CCRC will report directly to Town Council and will act as the Owner Group. This group is charged with making the final decisions on an ongoing basis with respect to expenditures, scope of work and community liaison. (Glen Ewan – Chair; Shelagh England; Johanna Ward; Gord Barlow; Ned Johnson; Bill Usher; Mike Pecora – Councilor; Leonard Brown – Architect; Jon Wilsgard – ToG Staff).
- May, 2010: Kicking Horse Culture successfully applies for $100,000 CBT Community Initiatives funds.
- May, 2010: Town Council votes to support next steps of hiring a Construction Manager and commissioning Leonard Brown Architects to create working drawings.
- July, 2010: Olson Construction hired as Construction Manager.
- July, 2010: Kicking Horse Culture request for an increase from $100K to $250k of CBT Community Development funds is successfully granted.
- September, 2010: Kicking Horse Culture’s application to Department of Canadian Heritage’s Building Communities through Arts and Heritage program is awarded $500,000 from the Canadian Government.
- October, 2010: With funds leveraged by the Town of Golden and Kicking Horse Culture along with donations from the public, the CCRSC has now raised over $2.1 million and construction begins.
