Editor:
The issue of public parking and eligibility for municipal tax exemptions was recently raised before the Gibsons council (“Sechelt, Gibsons approve 2018 tax exemptions,” Coast Reporter, Oct. 27). For the public’s information, the Gibsons Public Art Gallery (GPAG) is a volunteer-run, non-profit organization that currently provides public parking for the Gibsons Landing neighbourhood. In recognition of this, and for providing the community with an arts and culture centre, Gibsons has very reasonably granted the property a waiver of municipal taxes. The Gallery is grateful for this show of support.
Some restrictions apply. If the Gallery is open, then the parking lot is reserved for Gallery visitors and volunteers (with three spots especially reserved for visitor centre use). Regular Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday through Monday and every day in July and August. The dates and times of special events at the Gallery do vary, but they ultimately leave the Gallery lot available for public parking for most of the year. People intending to park in the GPAG lot are encouraged to join the Gallery as a member, sign up for email updates, like us and follow us on Facebook, or simply check in at the Gallery front desk or notice board to inquire about scheduled events and hours.
With the cooperation and support of the patrons and proprietors of the businesses in the neighbourhood, this arrangement for parking can work for everyone. The Gallery invites all of the businesses that depend on our lot to support the Gallery through a public art business sponsorship. Businesses that sign up before Nov. 29 can help earn the Gallery matching funding. It’s a worthy investment: art, culture and parking!
Stewart Stinson, President, Gibsons Public Art Gallery
