As part of The Tri-City News' ongoing coverage of the municipal election - and on the heels of Coquitlam's $100,000 arts, culture and heritage strategic plan launch - we asked mayoralty candidates in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody (aka The City of the Arts) to answer three questions about how they see the arts thriving under their leadership.
Here are their responses:
COQUITLAM
LOU SEKORA
What is the most pressing priority for arts and culture in your city? For about 15 years now, there has been no money spent on our cultural centres, Place des Arts, Evergreen Cultural Centre and Mackin House Museum. We must invest in our future.
Would you be prepared to dedicate at least 1% of future development cost charges to arts and culture? The figure of 1% is too low as there is lots of catch-up needed and if development slows down then the 1% will also slow down. We need an infusion of more than 1%, which I am committed to.
When was the last time you visited a city-owned arts facility and for what reason? I have visited them on a regular basis to see how they operate and to see how taxpayers money can be best spent on these facilities.
RICHARD STEWART
What is the most pressing priority for arts and culture in your city? Certainly it's the arts culture and heritage strategic plan currently underway, a plan that will use wide input from users, partners and citizens to set targets and priorities, identify facility requirements and the strategies to bring them to fruition. The plan will set out such important needs as theatre and rehearsal space, a festival site, accommodating growth in community/cultural events, museum/heritage space, etc., along with the need to support the valued organizations that deliver much of that service to our community.
Would you be prepared to dedicate at least 1% of future development cost charges to arts and culture? Unfortunately, that isn't permitted under the DCC legislation as there are very strict limits to what development cost charges can be used for; however, I would definitely support that kind of funding dedication (and certainly more than 1%) out of our new community amenity contribution and/or the density bonus program, both of which we have used to creatively support these kinds of important social needs in our community.
When was the last time you visited a city-owned arts facility and for what reason? I likely visit a city-owned arts facility at least once each week for such things as exhibit openings at the art gallery at Evergreen or for programming at Place des Arts. I participated in Culture Days at Mackin House and Place Maillardville and even celebrated Halloween with a visit to Place des Arts in Maillardville.
POCO
ERIC HIRVONEN
Did not respond.
GREG MOORE
What is the most pressing priority for arts and culture in your city? We need to develop an arts and culture strategic plan that would be driven by the users. Ultimately, we need to create a Port Coquitlam Arts and Culture Alliance, similar to our successful PoCo Sports Alliance, to give arts and culture a bigger voice in our community.
Would you be prepared to dedicate at least 1% of future development cost charges to arts and culture? We don't actually have the authority to charge an arts DCC; however, I would be in favour of diverting a portion of the current 5% park acquisition DCC to arts and culture.
When was the last time you visited a city-owned arts facility and for what reason? I was at the Gathering Place a couple weeks ago for the opening of Colin Craig's art show, which is excellent and I would encourage everyone to check it out.
POMO
MIKE CLAY
What is the most pressing priority for arts and culture in your city? We have recently expanded the arts centre through repurposing of the Appleyard heritage house, and now they can expand the programming to bring further life to that centre. We need to continue on development of our cultural precinct/district around the arts centre and encourage more private arts studios in that area. We have an exceptional opportunity with the Moody middle school redevelopment of 'school of the arts' to work with the district and local arts and culture groups to open up new opportunities for theatre, dance, visual and performing arts classes there to outreach to younger members of our communities in a purpose-built environment.
Would you be prepared to dedicate at least 1% of future development cost charges to arts and culture? We currently have a public art policy to provide annual funding to public art 0.3% of all operating and capital projects, 1% of construction projects for major capital projects and 0.5% of construction budget for private development projects. This policy was amended this past year to include the 0.3% of the operating and capital projects and should continue to be reviewed for effectiveness.
When was the last time you visited a city-owned arts facility and for what reason? Yesterday, to check out a painting as a gift idea for a friend.
GAETAN ROYER
What is the most pressing priority for arts and culture in your city? It is important that Port Moody create a critical mass of employment, a large percentage of which should be creative industries located in Moody Centre. This will ensure that sizable investors, employers, events and activities are attracted to a more vibrant Moody Centre. This will be achieved through a revised community plan that clearly connects land use, jobs, public space and amenities in a master plan that will guide development in Moody Centre.
Would you be prepared to dedicate at least 1% of future development cost charges to arts and culture? I would agree with a proposal to add 1% for arts and culture to the amount that is currently being collected for development cost charges. I would disagree with charging 1% of the total building value.
When was the last time you visited a city-owned arts facility and for what reason? In the past 30 days, I was at the Gallery Bistro attending Soup Sisters and the Tri-Cities Green Drinks, the Port Moody Arts Centre for a gallery opening, the Blue Mountain Quilters Guild Show and the Evergreen Theatre season opening.
@jwarrenTC
