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Museum renovations proposed

Gibsons council
Gibsons council
Architect Teryl Mullock presented four possible concepts to Gibsons council Tuesday, Dec. 16 which would update and improve the Sunshine Coast Museum and Archives building on Wynn Road.

The Sunshine Coast Museum and Archives is looking to upgrade its facility with Gibsons council getting a first look at the proposed plans at its Dec. 16 council meeting.

Architect Teryl Mullock presented four possible concepts to council Tuesday, which would update and improve the museum building on Wynn Road.

Next year will mark the 50th anniversary of the founding of the museum, originally the Pioneer Museum. It will also make the building 40 years old without any significant upgrades in its life.

“People can not get to the second level without assistance unless they’re able bodied,” Mullock said. “Many people can’t get in the front door without assistance. There are fundamental human rights, human dignity issues that need to be addressed.”

Concept A, described by Mullock as the most minimal concept, involves opening up the downstairs entrance, which is significantly narrow. As for upstairs access, where more than 50 per cent of the collection is on display, the plan is for an existing exterior ramp to be upgraded and rebuilt.

Of the four different renovation plans, concept C has been mostly ruled out. It involved building a series of ramps that, in the end, would take up too much of the museum’s space.

Concept B calls for the installation of an elevator, while concept D proposes to link the museum to the arts building next door, which is already handicapped accessible.

Phase one of the proposal, which opens up the first floor and brings the building up to code, is estimated at just over $117,000.

Mullock will now present to the Sunshine Coast Regional District in January with more discussion expected by both governments when they start budget discussions.

Housing

Coun. Stafford Lumley moved to have the affordable ownership program, presented at the Dec. 9 committee of the whole, moved back to a special committee meeting, “to reevaluate the options and ensure the best fit for Gibsons.”

Council unanimously approved the recommendation.

The affordable ownership program is a housing project for low-income households. Affordable housing developments are being considered for Parkland and Soames Place.

Appointments

Coun. Charlene San Jenko has been appointed to serve as deputy mayor for 2015.

The 2015 council liaisons were also appointed Tuesday night and they include: councillors Silas White and Lumley for the Gibsons and District fire protection commission, Coun. Jeremy Valeriote for Sunshine Coast Museum and Archives Society, and the Gibsons and District Public Library, White will serve as liaison to the Community Youth Awareness Group and Homelessness Advisory Committee, Lumley will serve as liaison to the Sunshine Coast Affordable Housing Committee and Gibsons and District Chamber of Commerce, and SanJenko will serve as liaison to the Gibsons Landing Harbour Authority and Gibsons Public Market.

Meeting schedule

Council approved its meeting schedule for 2015.

Council meetings will be held the first and third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. while committee of the whole meetings will be the first and third Tuesday of the month at 1:30 p.m.