City council was informed the Weyburn Arts Council is seeking a new dedicated space for their use, as a facility request, as an alternative to the Allie Griffin Art Gallery, and the office and program space currently used at the Signal Hill Arts Cent
City council was informed the Weyburn Arts Council is seeking a new dedicated space for their use, as a facility request, as an alternative to the Allie Griffin Art Gallery, and the office and program space currently used at the Signal Hill Arts Centre.
The request was made at the recent Facilities Advisory Committee, which was then brought to council's attention at their Monday council meeting.
According to the committee minutes, the Arts Council is making the request "due to the increasing challenges of sharing the gallery space with the library", and put forward a request for a 4,500-sq.-ft. facility that could house the gallery, office and program space under one roof.
The Arts Council pointed out they do not have the manpower to do a lot of fundraising; the committee members discussed the situation, Coun. Dick Michel told council, adding, "We did look at it. It's not going to happen overnight, but the wheels are turning."
The committee suggested a meeting be set up between the Arts Council and the library board to hammer out the issues over sharing the gallery space.
Coun. Michel also pointed out that in terms of funding, such a new facility could not be done without funding from the federal and provincial governments, and provided a breakdown of the costs of the recent renovations to Crescent Point Place, the Sports Arena and the outdoor swimming pool.
In all cases, government funding was a significantly large part of the project costs. For the two arenas, for example, federal and provincial grants totalled $4.66 million, with the project costing $11.58 million for phases 1-4.
From the Parks board, council was told about a concern raised in a Weyburn Review editorial about safe crossing for users of the Tatagwa Parkway paths where it crosses Highway 13 near the Souris Valley grounds; the city's engineering department will be contacted to see if a bright yellow colour might be used for a crosswalk.
The board also discussed a complaint about unleashed dogs in Jubilee Park, along with owners not picking up after their dogs. Signs will be put up at each entrance to Jubilee Park to raise awareness of the need to have dogs leashed, and for their refuse to be picked up.
From the Leisure Services commission, Minor Ball advised they have been given a $4,000 grant from Cenovus towards upgrading the ball diamonds, with the funds to be allocated to the dugouts. Coun. Rob Stephanson said there is evidence of various activities taking place in the dugouts, and residents were urged to call the police if they ever see people in the dugouts using them for unlawful purposes.
Also, the commission was asked to form a five-member advisory committee for the running of the Turner Curling Museum.
This committee would act as a subcommittee of the commission, and act in an advisory capacity to the Leisure Service Commission.
City council was asked what the selling price of 52 acres of the Souris Valley grounds to Nicor was; city manager Bob Smith advised it was for the city's price of $5,000 an acre, or a total of $260,000, plus development fees.
