Station House Gallery Move
The Station House Gallery Society believes that the public needs a better understanding of why moving the building would address many of the problems we face.
As most know, we are in great financial difficulty. We are unable to maintain the building which is deteriorating quickly. We cannot repair the outside of the building, the electric needs to be updated to current standards and according to our furnace maintenance person the very old furnace is probably emitting carbon monoxide. (Don’t worry, you are safe when you visit, but Staff….)
We have almost zero drop in traffic. Tourists do find us, but it is our locals that we rely on to support the Gallery and Shop which in turn supports regional artists and artisans who are your friends and neighbours and make the beautiful, thought provoking things we offer.
Our budget is very frugal. One full-time, 3 part-time and one summer student all are paid with a budget of $35,000 for wages, and that folks is before payroll deductions. Our gaming funding is gone and we will again run out of money late spring or early fall.
If the Gallery closes, the building will sit empty as it did 30 years ago before the Society was formed to preserve it. And it will deteriorate even faster. If we move it, it will mean that the City will maintain the building and service it. Yes, with tax dollars, but remember, this IS Williams Lake’s only designated Heritage building, all the rest have gone.
If the building is moved we will not be the forgotten treasure at the bottom of Oliver, we will be a vibrant, thriving, wonderful community service because people will see us ! As you walk or drive to get your groceries or go to the Park or the Senior’s Center you might stop in because….. you would SEE US !
TO MOVE IT – IS TO SAVE IT.
One thought on “Station House Gallery Move”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
The citizens of Williams Lake need to rally together to support the Gallery. Supporting the arts, and continuing to provide a heritage site for the City is important in maintaining culture, encouraging the arts and providing a venue for budding and well-known artists alike to flourish. I encourage all the folks in Williams Lake to put your heads together and help bring attention to this matter. And fundraisers don’t hurt!! Diane is doing a great job, working so hard everyday trying to keep the gallery alive. I wish her much luck!