It takes a village to renovate a building and on Texada Island the newly renovated Texada Arts Culture and Tourism (TACT) Centre is a great example.
Funding from First Credit Union allowed the TACT Society to concentrate on events and activities that support creative people and tourism on Texada and around the Powell River Regional District. Through support from the BC government and the many volunteers on Texada, more and better events and activities are now possible.
A grant of $30,000 was provided to TACT through the ministry of community, sport and cultural development’s BC Creative Spaces program. This allowed extensive renovations to take place at the centre located at 1207 Marble Bay Road on Van Anda.
The central purpose of this one-time grant was to improve local arts infrastructure or purchase specialized equipment. The grant allowed for the purchase of materials to create major changes to the building exterior (paint, lighting upgrades, covered patio with planters, storage area et cetera) and interior (new laminate flooring and high grade linoleum, paint, carpet, lighting upgrades, hanging rail system, three-piece portable stage/bookcase unit, relocating walls and more).
Thousands of hours of hard work were put in by dozens of Texada volunteers plus many products and supplies were donated both by Texada and Powell River individuals and businesses. Specialized trade labour that couldn’t be done by volunteers was supplied at very reasonable rates.
Anyone wishing to take a closer look at the renovations can attend the Texada Artists’ Studio Tour, Saturday and Sunday August 9 and 10, and enjoy a barbecue lunch at the centre. The tour takes in 19 artists and studios are open from 10 am to 4 pm both days. A tour guide and map are available online.
