The Art Gallery of Sudbury has committed to finding a new home in downtown Sudbury, but John Lindsay couldn't pass on the idea of locating the gallery at the Kingdom Hall Centre in Minnow Lake.
The 23,000-square-foot facility, located at the end of a quiet street, a five-minute walk from Bancroft Drive, has been on the market for about four years.
It boasts four spacious auditoriums, each of which has the capacity to seat between 100 and 200 people, as well as smaller meeting spaces, two apartments, climate-controlled rooms, audio-visual connections to link together each auditorium and clean, modern decor.
“You can practically move in,” Lindsay said.
The Sudbury Arts Council president and community leader said the centre's gallery potential was pointed out by his wife. None of the auditoriums have windows, offering ample, safe wall space.
“When there's an opportunity, (I had to) say here is a possibility,” Lindsay.
By the time the community was invited for tours of the approximately 60-year-old building, the Gallery had confirmed their desire to relocate to downtown.
In an earlier interview, Art Gallery Director Karen Tait-Peacock said she appreciates the community’s desire to see the Gallery grow and prosper.
When there's an opportunity, (I had to) say here is a possibility
John Lindsay
President, Sudbury Arts Council
“I think it’s really wonderful we have such a groundswell of community support,” she said. While the staff and AGS board appreciate the community support, Tait-Peacock said the gallery is focusing on building a new gallery space in a more central location.
Lindsay said he was simply pointing out an option — one he didn't want the Gallery to overlook.
“Sometimes people don't want to hear ideas,” he said with a smile.
The building, which is currently used as a Kingdom Hall for three congregations, “has outgrown” the needs of its current users, according to Jarmo Joki, co-ordinator of the Sudbury East congregation.
“A lot of space here is left unused, which is inefficient,” he said.
According to Joki, the space will be best suited for a group, or groups, who need several classrooms and meeting spaces.
Joki said the building has had some serious offers, but none have went through. The building is priced at $499,900.
Other arts community groups attended the 10:30 a.m. tour on Jan. 9, wondering if it would suit their needs. Another tour will be offered at 5 p.m. for those interested in viewing the facility.
“It would be a shame to have it hit by the wrecking ball,” he said.
Posted by Arron Pickard
