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Basi returns to Coquitlam as city's new cultural manager

Karen Basi is back on home turf, ready to take the lead on Coquitlam’s arts and culture scene.

Karen Basi is back on home turf, ready to take the lead on Coquitlam’s arts and culture scene.

Basi, the city’s former manager of emergency programs, started in the newly created position June 1.

And, after only 10 days of the job, she tells The Tri-City News she’s already got a long list on the go.

“It’s an exciting time to be in Coquitlam,” she said during an interview at city hall last week.

Over her 20-plus years in municipal government, Basi has split her time between the arts and emergency services for Burnaby and Coquitlam.

Most recently, she was Burnaby’s manager of development and promotion, which included co-ordinating the Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival.

Two decades prior, Basi was part of the team that helped with the capital campaign to build the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts.

As Coquitlam’s cultural steward, Basi will be responsible for next year’s 125th anniversary celebrations and be the city liaison for cultural groups such as the Evergreen Cultural Centre, Place Maillardville, Place des Arts and the Coquitlam Public Library.

As well, she will oversee the city’s public art policy.

Her most immediate focus, however, is developing the new arts, culture and heritage strategic plan for the city — a framework that builds on the draft master parks and recreation plan that was presented last year. That strategic plan is due to be finished this year.

A graduate of Centennial secondary and SFU, Basi said her biggest challenge will be how to meet the city’s needs and demands.

“One of the great things about Coquitlam is that it’s a growing community,” the Port Coquitlam resident said. “The challenge is how to co-ordinte the service delivery.”

Basi said she also hopes to link in with civic arts co-ordinators in Port Coquitlam and Port Moody, where strategic arts plans are also in the works.

jwarren@tricitynews.com
@jwarrenTC