Shovels hit the ground as construction of the Greater Vernon Cultural Centre (GVCC) officially launched with a vibrant community-led celebration.
With the official start of construction, the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) is pleased to share that it has received a $500,000 grant from the Government of Canada’s Canada Cultural Spaces Fund. This program is committed to providing funding opportunities that reflect the many perspectives of Canada’s cultural life. It supports the improvement of physical conditions for arts, heritage culture, and creative innovation.
“Cultural spaces are essential to the social fabric of any community. They provide a welcoming place where neighbours can learn about different cultures. This Canada Cultural Spaces Fund support has allowed the Regional District of North Okanagan to advance critical pre-construction and design work in support of a new Greater Vernon Cultural Centre. The Government of Canada is thrilled to help take this cultural hub from concept to reality. I look forward to the day that the community makes the space its own," said the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages.
“We are grateful to the Government of Canada for this generous contribution”, stated Bob Fleming, Chair of the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee and Director of Electoral Area B. “This funding has been instrumental in helping move forward a project that will serve as a vibrant and inclusive space for creativity, learning, and connection. The support affirms the importance of investing in cultural infrastructure that reflects and celebrates the diverse voices of our community. We’re excited to see this vision come to life and thank our federal partners for helping make it possible.”
The RDNO has also applied for an additional $6.86 million through two other federal and provincial grant programs, which are still under review. For more information on the GVCC project, please visit www.rdno.ca/gvculturalcentre. For more information on fundraising or to get involved, visit www.together4culture.ca.
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For media inquiries:
Stacey Raftus, Communications Officer
communications@rdno.ca