Groundbreaking Ceremony Marks Start of Greater Vernon Cultural Centre

A significant milestone for the arts community in Vernon was reached on August 26, 2023, as the groundbreaking ceremony for the Greater Vernon Cultural Centre officially commenced. Local artist AJ Jaeger honored her commitment by donating $50,000 to support the new facility, coinciding with the ceremonial start of construction.

Standing before an enthusiastic crowd of nearly 200 people, Jaeger presented the donation, which comes from the Jaeger Family Fund managed by the Community Foundation North Okanagan. “If I want to be a role model, I want to do it this way,” Jaeger stated, emphasizing her hope that this contribution would inspire others to support the project.

The ceremony took place at the corner of 31st Avenue and 30th Street in downtown Vernon, where the new cultural centre is set to house the Vernon Public Art Gallery and the Museum and Archives of Vernon. With Jaeger’s donation, the fundraising efforts have successfully raised over $1.7 million toward the construction goal.

Community Support and Vision for the Future

The event began with a procession led by the Kalamalka Highlanders Pipe Band, gathering supporters who carried shovels and banners in support of the cultural centre. Emcees Brian Martin and Rebecca Barton from Beach Radio welcomed attendees, while Virginia Gregoire, an Elder from the Okanagan Indian Band, offered a prayer and blessing to commence the proceedings.

The first speaker, Dauna Kennedy, executive director of the Vernon Public Art Gallery, expressed her organization’s long-standing advocacy for the cultural centre, dating back to 1986. Kennedy, wearing a pink hard hat, conveyed the importance of the centre in uniting vital community institutions. “This will be more than a building,” she explained. “It will be a hub of creativity, learning, and connection.”

Adrianna Stange, president of the museum and archives board, added that the new facility symbolizes a commitment to future generations. “We’re here for the legacy it will leave future generations,” she stated, highlighting the centre’s role in fostering exploration and creativity.

A Symbol of Community Commitment

Support for the project has been a long journey, as Dan Wilson, Chief of the Okanagan Indian Band, remarked on the necessity of patience in realizing visions. Reflecting on the passage of the referendum approving the cultural centre in 2018, he noted, “Sometimes, visions take a while to come true.”

Local representative Amanda Shatzko echoed the sentiment, summarizing the crowd’s feelings with, “It’s about damn time.” Acting Mayor Teresa Durning emphasized that the cultural centre represents more than just a construction project; it is a testament to the community’s dedication to arts and culture. “It will be a place where creativity thrives,” Durning stated, highlighting the potential for economic and social benefits as the centre draws people downtown.

The new Greater Vernon Cultural Centre is anticipated to open in 2028, with the Together4Culture fundraising campaign continuing to seek support from the community to bring this project to fruition. The groundbreaking ceremony marks a hopeful new chapter for Vernon, fostering a space for artistic growth and communal connection.