The hands did the talking on Tuesday night in Lively.
After months of non-stop work by concerned citizens, a delegation from the Walden-CAN Heritage Committee presented its final report to the Walden-CAN Steering Committee. The report outlines the group’s support to preserve the Anderson Farm as a year-round museum and cultural centre.
With a slight thud, committee member Marte Holouka dropped the detailed final report, all 38 pages, on a table and announced the group had come up with 17 recommendations that outlined just how to sustain the site.
The recommendations deal with a variety of issues ranging from a name change, applying for Trillium funding, staging a concert series to developing community partnerships, and everything in-between.
Because of the overall thoroughness of the report, as well as the unflinching support from local citizens, the Walden-CAN Steering Committee unanimously endorsed the report by raising their hands in unison.
Co-Chair Gwen Doyle stated a letter of support would be delivered to the Sudbury Library Museum Board by the end of the week. The committee would also present the findings at an upcoming city council priorities meeting.
It was news Holouka wanted to receive.
“I couldn’t be happier,” said a relieved Holouka. “When you do something like this, you ask yourself, who do you represent and do I really have the flavour of what they want. I think we got the big picture. The idea was to make a facility anyone could use...and it’s been achieved.”
Transforming the Anderson Farm into a one-stop multi-use arts and cultural centre would be a potential boon for the entire City of Greater Sudbury.
“There’s no question the Anderson farm is a big thing to the local community, but it’s not just about our community,” said Holouka. “It’s part of every community in Greater Sudbury...heritage is what we are. There’s a tourism aspect...getting people to come here and stay longer. The sky’s the limit.”
Many groups support the idea as well, including the Walden Art Club (WAC).
“Historically, the WAC has used the Anderson Farm as a venue for a variety of activities,” said WAC president Lynn Quinn. “We see it as a positive place to have involvement with the community, whether it’s through work shops or shows year round. We’ve had huge support for our shows at the farm.”
Ron Nadjiwon was present, representing the Sudbury Arts Council, the Sudbury Art Club and the Walden Art Club. He’s baffled as to why Sudbury doesn’t have a central arts and cultural centre.
“Greater Sudbury needs a central arts and culture centre,” said Nadjiwon. “Opening the Anderson Farm as a museum and cultural centre would be the first step in creating a central centre for the city. When smaller cities, such as North
Bay and Sault Ste. Marie have well-funded and supported centres, I wonder why we don’t. The interest is there, but there’s no political will. We’re here to push it forward.”
