The city has decided to ask its citizens what sort of cultural spaces they need.
The massive series of
public consultations, which began this month with councillor Michael Thompson's ward, will continue throughout the year and into 2013. They're meant to elicit opinions and data about what people need and where.
The consultations relate to any space that could be used for any cultural activity, including parks, community centres or church basements.
The emphasis will be on space for young people, but as Thompson says, most if not all the spaces under discussion will be multi-use. "Space is space," he says. "If you have a facility that has multifunctional space, it can be used by anyone."
Though the consultations are not off to a great start—the councillor's own consultation attracted an audience of three—Thompson, who's heading the initiative as chair of the city's
Economic Development Committee, is hopeful that it will pick up steam as it rolls through the first 20 scheduled wards.
The consultations could result in new structures being built, old ones being re-purposed or public-private deals being struck for city-sponsored use of available private space.
Writer: Bert Archer
Source: Michael Thompson
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