I am writing to you on behalf of the board of trustees for the Arts and Heritage Foundation of St. Albert. Sadly, we have found ourselves under a highly critical attack in our local newspapers by folks who have felt aggrieved but who may not know the facts about a proposed visual arts centre complex. As a result we wish to point out to your readers the following:
1. Our interest in the St. Albert Community Hall was originally based on its heritage value as a historical site in the evolution of St. Albert as a city. In April 2008, when we first talked with the Community League representatives and wrote to the mayor, we were aware of concerns that the building might have serious structural difficulties. The Arts and Heritage Foundation considered that there was considerable merit in not only preserving but ultimately in restoring the building to its original state. Such an undertaking was, and remains, complex.
2. We also considered that if the city was to purchase the building that it would offer a good fit for the Profiles Art Gallery of St. Albert, as we don’t have enough space in our current location. As you know, the gallery is located in the Banque d’Hochelaga building, which is next to the community hall. It is a heritage site owned by the city, and we are the building’s stewards.
3. It was on this basis that discussions between city hall and representatives of the board of the Community League have been taking place.
4. A prerequisite underlying all of our considerations from the beginning has been the imperative for finding alternate accommodation suitable for the needs of the Community League members who provide programs for St. Albertans. This is particularly so for the Air Cadets which has invested considerably in the community hall.
5. The above is a matter of record, with details confirmed in writing from city hall to Community League board representatives, to me as chair of the AHF’s board of trustees, and to all the members of city council. This correspondence is dated April 2009.
6. Finally, over the past two years, at the request of council through the mayor`s office, the AHF developed our concept for a downtown visual arts centre complex. We presented the architectural schema to city council and senior city administration last fall. Again it was accepted that while we were in the city’s hands, insofar as the arrangements of the community hall were concerned, we were not asking the city to construct, own or operate the visual arts centre building. That is a separate undertaking which the Arts and Heritage Foundation is embarked upon. We believe it can be a signature building for the redevelopment of the Perron District of our downtown.
Alan Murdock, board chair, Arts and Heritage Foundation of St. Albert
