LISSA ALEXANDER
reporter@pqbnews.com
Work has begun to bring The McMillan Arts Centre back to its original lustre, and restore the health and safety standards of the 100-year-old building.
The building will be restored back to its original vintage look as closely as possible, with a broad staircase at the original front entrance and a new custom designed, wood carved, commemorative door.
“My idea is to have an internal contest and have [artists at the MAC] pick the art they want to represent the centennial, and we will try to convert that painting into a carving file and put it on the door,” said Chris Raines, president of the Oceanside Community Arts Council (OCAC).
Raines used to make period craftsman furniture, and also did period restoration work and carpentry, so his expertise will aid in the refurbishment. The entire exterior of the building will be redone from the roof down to the new hardwood floors. The windows will be renewed, reglazed and sealed, there will be vintage metal doors (which will help seal the building and reduce heating costs), new lighting, fresh paint and landscaping, among other work.
The ministry of social development approved a grant to cover labour costs through a Job Creation Partnership project totalling $110,000, the City of Parksville has chipped in $10,000, beyond its usual annual $5,000 contribution, and the RDN committed $5,000.
The Job Creation Partnership will be co-ordinated by the Community Fisheries Development Centre in Parksville and will provide work experience to four Employment Insurance-eligible workers.
The workers will get on-the-job training at the MAC learning carpentry, drywalling, painting, landscaping and general maintenance.
Raines said the renovation team will try and use recycled wood and other materials where possible to help stretch funds. All this work will also help with programming at the MAC, Raines said.
“We have increased our programming exponentially, we have a lot more going on, so we are hoping to be able to continue that and this restoration is certainly going to help that.”
The project is set to be complete in six months and in the meantime a number of centennial celebrations will be happening at the centre, as well as an event to mark the end of the work in October.
Stay tuned for more information on the MAC’s celebrations and visit mcmillanartscentre.com.
