Student's killer on parole
Charges after investigation
Hostage was on captor 
Regulating power prices
Gen X is raking it in
LeBlanc laying groundwork
US vetoes UN resolution
$100M Nassar settlement
12 Trump jurors picked
Rates slow green economy
Vicinity hires president,
Record housing starts
Warriors ready for Round 2
Kalamalka Bowl cancelled
Rockets live to fight on
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Tarantino scraps film
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UPDATE: 3:18 P.M.
The executive director of the Vernon Public Art Gallery has expressed relief over a decision by area politicians that will push forward a proposal for a new art gallery-museum combined.
“I'm feeling relief that the process is finally starting,” said Dauna Kennedy Grant. “We've done a lot of work in the background over the years to be ready to go forward with an art gallery and we've always recognized the need of a museum so it makes sense that planning for both will be addressed at the same time.”
A museum representative, probably Kennedy Grant herself, will be a member of a cultural advisory team being put together. That team will advise the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee and the North Okanagan Regional District board on how to proceed with cultural plans.
A combined art gallery-museum facility has been made a priority.
“There has been a lot of background information done so I'm excited that we can move forward rapidly with this process now that we finally have the commitment,” said Kennedy Grant.
Strict climate controls will be necessary in a new facility, said Kennedy Grant, adding that it would be great to get rid of the leaks, floods and rodents plaguing the current facility.
A possible new art gallery-museum cultural facility for Vernon is back on the front burner.
The Greater Vernon Advisory Committee wants an action team put together soon to review the possibility of building a combined cultural facility as a “top priority.”
“It's been over two years since the art gallery came here (asking for a new facility),” director Catherine Lord told Thursday's meeting.
Lord urged quick action fearing “like most government issues things tend to drag on and on and on. I'd like to place some urgency on it.”
Officials from the art gallery have long complained about its location in the downtown parkade, pointing at water leaks and mildew.
As well, Greater Vernon Museum and Archives officials have indicated they will be more forceful in future over their need for a new building. The current one is crammed with artifacts with many left in storage.
The cultural advisory team is to be made up of representatives of cultural groups as well as local politicians and staff from the North Okanagan Regional District and City of Vernon. Letters to local groups are being sent out requesting their participation and detailing requirements.
