The Town of Smithers, the Smithers public library and the Smithers art gallery have been collaborating to address the need for a larger, more up-to-date community centre for Smithereens.

The proposed project is a multi-million dollar community centre, which requires government funding to make it happen. Recently, a press release acknowledged that while there is a need for a new building, the art gallery has pulled out from the current plans, stating they are satisfied with their space.

This project started 17 years ago. Then 10 years ago, the Smithers art gallery joined into a partnership with the library and town to vie to build a community space that better reflects the needs of the community of Smithers. 

Now that’s changed and the library board and town have to decide: do they move ahead without a new partner? Also, the project applied for funding with Library/ Gallery Project - BC/Canada – Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) $7,737,500,  but in August 2021 that funding was denied. 

Private funders have made matching funds investments, but without government support, the project is on hold once again.

To library liaison Wally Bergen, it’s just another step in a nearly two decades long process to bettering the experience of “library people” in the Bulkley Valley.

Nicole Chernish is the gallery director for Smithers Art Gallery and she is addressing the needs of the gallery and how they chose to remove themselves from this project.

Listen to the full episode in the link below to hear from Nicole Chernish, Wally Bergen and town Mayor Gladys Atrill: