The wait for an arts centre in Creston is nearly over, with a former auto garage about to be purchased by a non-profit society.
The Friends of the Ingham Arts and Culture Centre, a board currently being created by the Community Arts Council of Creston, will run the Ingham Arts and Culture Centre, located in a former auto garage at the corner of 15th Avenue and Canyon Street.
Plans for the building are still in the early stages, but it will likely include an office for the arts council, gallery space, a multimedia room and the studio of CIDO 97.7 FM.
“We’ll have an actual home where we can showcase artists,” said arts council president Simon Lazarchuk. “People can walk in and ask questions and find out what’s going on.”
The building, owned by the late Al Ingham, has been used several times in the past as the Arts Garage during Arts and Culture Week, and has long been thought by members of the local arts community to be an excellent permanent location.
Members of the arts council met with Ingham several months ago to discuss the possibility of purchasing the building, and since Ingham died Dec. 28, have worked with the family to finalize the agreement. They have been allowed in the building since March 1, and the goal is for the new society to take possession of the building in September.
The plans have already excited the arts community, and the arts council has already received donations to help with the purchase.
“We even had the old Carpe Diem Players donate some money that they had put away for a building fund,” said Lazarchuk.