Photo: Contributed

Regional politicians will discuss next steps in development of the Greater Vernon Cultural Centre.

The Greater Vernon Advisory Committee meets this afternoon to discuss procurement of pre-design services for the facility, which will house a new Vernon art gallery and museum on the site of the downtown parking lot on 31st Avenue.

Directors are also expected to approve application to the provincial Strategic Priorities Fund for a capital infrastructure grant of $2,882,00 for pre-design and design costs.

The board will consider a request for proposals to engage a consulting team to complete the pre-design work for the centre, including a "vision review, space matrix, interior and exterior design guidelines, and cost estimates."

The Regional District of North Okanagan received assent in an alternative approval process in May to borrow $28 million for the project.

The centre would also include a presentation/performance space and flexible, multi-purpose areas.

"As discussions continue on evaluating and considering the most appropriate project methodology (i.e. design-bid-build, etc.), it is recommended that pre-design work begin in order to inform the selection of project methodology and expertise required by the architect/design team that will move the project to next steps in the project’s critical path, which includes detailed design and construction," a report to directors states.

The 2022 RDNO financial plan includes $3,000,000 for the planning and pre-design work and subsequent phases of design work associated with the building and surrounding green space.

Due to increasing costs, the scale of the centre was previously reduced to 25,000 square feet.

The total projected budget, including land costs of $2.265 million, is $30,265,000.