By Rosalind Russell – Elliot Lake council has given its approval for the local museum to go ahead with a feasibility study.
Curator Amelia D’Amato recommended the company, David Ellis Architect Inc., in partnership with Shick Shiner and Associates, be hired as theatre and exhibit consultants for the redesign of the former United Church located at 40 Hillside Drive North.
She says the study will assess the viability of converting the building into a multi-purpose cultural and community facility, including conceptual designs, financial analysis, and phased-in implementation recommendations.
Council approved the expenditure of $83,000 giving the go-ahead to the next step, which includes a site visit by the contractors tomorrow (Wednesday).
D’Amato says the study is expected to be completed within four months and once completed, she will report their findings back to council for further discussion.
She says at the December 11, 2023, meeting of council, an operational plan was approved, which designates the main floor of the facility for public use, with the entrance retrofitted as a Welcome Centre with accessible washrooms, and the assembly area configured as a hybrid museum and rentable performing arts space.
She adds the basement is to be used for staff purposes, including storage of the City’s museum collections and workspace.
“This multi-functional approach is intended to accommodate a variety of performing arts, programming, events, presentations, and other activities, while providing public access to the community’s heritage and ensuring the protection of the museum’s collections—addressing the operational gaps left by the closure of the Lester B. Pearson Civic Centre.”
The project was budgeted in the 2025 capital budget and carried over to 2026, with an upset limit of $115,000.
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