Central Alberta groups vying for municipal cash to fund mega building projects are hailing the City of Red Deer’s decision to inject $1 million into a permanent exhibit at the Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery.
But at least one taxpayer isn’t happy with the deal.
Earlier this week, city council approved money from the capital projects reserve to go into a permanent exhibit on Red Deer’s history, showcasing artifacts in a modern, interactive way. Government grants, as well as a portion of dollars from the municipal operating budget, fund the reserve.
Lucille Gaumond, a Red Deer resident, said she calls council’s decision “ludicrous” during these times of fiscal restraint. She said that council isn’t looking at the bigger picture, which includes the fact that Europe’s financial crisis will likely have a huge impact on Canada.
“A $1-million interactive exhibit?” she said. “The city manager (Craig Curtis) called it a modest amount (on Monday). That’s ridiculous.”
Property taxes have risen here, plus user fees like garbage pickup have escalated each year, Gaumond said.
She also criticized council’s approval on Monday to give $250,000 for the city to plan centennial events, besides the $1 million for the museum.
“We are two years away from the event and we’re already up to $1,250,000,” Gaumond said. “I can see we’re blowing this way out of proportion.”
But Jack Cuthbertson, chairman of the Central Alberta Aquatic Centre group that’s pushing for a 50-metre competitive swimming pool built, applauded the museum approval.
“I don’t think our group has any criticism of giving money to others, just because we’re looking for some,” said Cuthbertson. “I would think, good luck to them and eventually I think we’re going to be in place, too.”
In May 2010, the city put $200,000 towards planning for the swimming pool project, but any major municipal financing isn’t expected for at least a decade.
Cuthbertson’s group would like to see construction start in 2013, but that will entail financial support from all three levels of government. A business plan will go to city council in the coming weeks.
Red Deer Symphony Orchestra president Dale Wheeler praised civic officials for investing money into a permanent historical exhibit.
“We’re thrilled any time they put money towards the arts,” Wheeler said.
The symphony would like to see a larger concert hall that other Central Alberta arts groups could take advantage of. It generally sells out each time it performs at the Red Deer College Arts Centre.
“We’re actually going to be writing a proposal for grant money to do a feasibility study because we know that needs to come first,” said Wheeler.
He hopes, if they are successful with grants, that the study can get underway next year.
If the study shows a need, then they would start “looking at the hard dollars of can we get private sponsorship, public fundraising, can we approach the city, the county (of Red Deer).”
With this week’s financial support, the museum can now begin seeking proposals from professional exhibit designers. The total cost including design, construction, installation, administration and promotion is $1.5 million, of which $500,000 will be raised through fundraising, grants and corporate or personal sponsorship opportunities.
Lorna Johnson, executive director of the Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery, said planning for the exhibit was prompted by visitors as well as requests from the community for more information on the history of the Red Deer region. The opening in March 2013 will coincide with the city’s centennial.
Curtis said the museum gave a solid argument to council for having this work done in time for the 2013 centennial. The project has been in the city’s sights for some time, he added.
“We wanted to recognize that the museum has a huge and valuable collection,” Curtis said. “It was always intended that there would be a permanent collection. They can’t be done cheap — and your artifacts have to be preserved. If you want to make a museum viable and an attraction in the city, then you need a permanent exhibit.”
Curtis said the city has spent millions of dollars on upgrades at the Recreation and G.H. Dawe centres.
“To get that 50-metre pool, that’s an $80-million project and that’s a long way from a $1-million project.”
Curtis said this permanent exhibit will tie in with school programming. Currently, schools only come through to see a specific exhibits.
ltester@www.reddeeradvocate.com
— copyright Red Deer Advocate