The Citizen, 2017-04-27, Page 27THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017. PAGE 27.
Grant and Mildred Sparling Centre taking shape
Walking towards what could be
While the property where the Grant and Mildred Sparling Centre housing the Canadian Centre
for Rural Creativity might look like an empty green space now, what could be became clear
during a presentation by Blyth Arts and Cultural Initiative 14/19 Inc. Project Director Peter
Smith to North Huron Council. Smith shared renderings like the one of the building's northern
face during his presentation on April 18. He also shared draft blueprints of the structure which
can be viewed on The Citizen's website at northhuron.on.ca (Image by Dubbledam Inc. Architecture +
Design)
Continued from page 26
said has resulted, through leveraging
that donation, in $7.50 being raised
per $1 from the municipality.
He also said that the Blyth
Festival's 2017 season alone will
result in $8,131,200 going into
regional economics, providing a
$16.26 return per dollar invested in
Memorial Hall.
Other projects include upgrades to
the Phillips Studio and architectural
work for the Grant and Mildred
Sparling Centre, which Smith says is
shovel -ready.
He also presented draft blueprints
of the building, which will be a two-
storey building similar in shape to
the one -storey school that was on the
site.
The first floor of the structure
measures 22,115 -square -feet and
includes an entire wing dedicated to
fabric arts including an
approximately 1,500 -square -foot
sewing room, a 1,300 -square -foot
weaving/spinning and fibre lab, a
400 -square -foot tech room
and a 2,450 -square -foot silk screen
studio.
The site will include an art gallery,
a digital media studio, a business
centre and digital library,
dance studios, a cafe/bar space
and a theatre also on the
first floor.
The second floor measures 6,397
square feet and includes a wellness
studio, gym, rooftop patio, studio
space and audio/video recording
spaces.
"There is nothing like this in
Canada," Smith said during his
presentation. "Professionals have
approached us to use this space
already."
Smith said the site will be an
educational centre for students, a
space for community workshops and
a space for professional artists to ply
their trade. He also said that the
theatre could be used by the Blyth
Festival for shows not on the main
stage, but also said it could be used
for lectures like Ted Talks and
dinners.
"This is a world-class centre and
we are very excited about it," he
said.
Smith also announced that the
architect hopes the structure will aim
to achieve Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED) gold
certification and recognition through
Canada Green Building Council's
Net Zero Carbon program
Brussels Community Improvement Plan approved
By Shawn Loughlin
The Citizen
Huron East Council has adopted
the proposed Brussels community
improvement plan, which could be
accepting applications as early as
June.
At council's April 18 meeting,
which was held at the Brussels,
Morris and Grey Community
Centre, those involved with crafting
the plan presented it to council,
including Huron County Planner
Claire Dodds, Economic
Development Officer Jan Hawley
and heritage architect Chris Cooper.
Cooper told those in attendance,
many of whom own buildings on the
village's main street, that the look of
the Brussels business district could
be improved drastically through a
handful of relatively inexpensive, yet
highly effective changes.
Detailing his work in small towns
across North America over the last
34 years, Cooper discussed a
number of projects, saying that he
has seen buildings purchased for
$8,000-$9,000 in the 1980s that
would now sell for as much as $16
million thanks to improvements.
While Cooper said he and his firm
were willing to work with Huron
East and the Village of Brussels, he
outlined a number of specific
changes that could be made to
buildings in the town.
Cooper suggested a heritage
district -like facade on buildings
featuring wood -like fronts and large
picture windows. He said that while
storefronts like those he was
suggesting may look expensive, they
aren't. He said that while wood may
rot on a storefront, there is a process
called acetylation that infuses the
wood with vinegar, making it long-
lasting and rot -proof. He also said
it's a relatively inexpensive process
to create Accoya wood.
What is important to keep and
highlight, he said, is existing
heritage features if you have them.
Brussels, he said, has great buildings
with great bones and heritage
features, but they are not being
accentuated, which could be done
with some paint.
He also suggested decorative
awnings and patios, although Huron
East doesn't allow patios. Awnings
and a colour scheme, he said, could
draw major attention to a storefront.
He also mentioned the importance
of lighting a storefront, throughout
the night, even when the store isn't
open to attract attention from
passers-by who will make a note to
return. He also said that signage is
important. A well -thought-out sign,
perhaps old neon or hand -carved
wood will attract plenty of attention
to the building.
Dodds also spoke on the plan,
saying that while property owners
aren't required to take part, it could
be an inexpensive way to make
improvements to their property. She
also said that tenants are allowed to
apply for funding with the property
owner's permission.
The plan will provide up to $5,000
for a project that will be paired with
matching funds from the applicant.
Councillor David Blaney said that
while the funding is restricted to a
maximum of $5,000 per property per
year, projects could be spread out
over a number of years so applicants
could complete one small project
each year for a number of years and
improve their property gradually.
Council approved the plan and
authorized staff to go ahead. Dodds
said that with council's approval
now in place, the municipality could
begin accepting and reviewing
applications as soon as June.
Make Your Own
Beer, Wine, Coolers
and Fruit Wine
I/rew here
or at home!)
84 Kingston St.,
GODERICH
524-2323
Hi... I'm Colin of the Glory
Boys, drinking coffee from
my Huron Chapel mug here
on tour, reminding you to
get your tickets for the
GLORY BOYS CONCERT
Saturday, May 6th at
HURON CHAPEL in Auburn.
Tickets $10 in advance $15 at door
$30 per family
available at the Huron Chapel office
Tuesday to Friday from 9am to noon -
At the Radiant Life Bookstore in
Goderich or at timmytour.com
Councillor John Lowe said that
while the plan sounded like a great
step forward for the downtown of
Brussels, he wondered if it could be
expanded to include businesses
beyond the downtown core.
Dodds said that the community
improvement plan up for approval
was specifically focused on the
downtown, but that if it proves to be
a success, another plan could be
enacted to include other parts of the
village or even other parts of the
municipality.
See histories and
historic photographs
on the Huron History
section of our website
www.northhuron.on.ca
alb
PARK THEATREq �'
30 The Square :�.
fith
GODERICH 519 524 7811
FOR MOVIE INFORMATION...
Ladi
www.movielinks.ca long distance?1-800-265-3438
Are you
tired of
getting a
second-hand
newspaper?
Be first in line
and get your own
subscription!
One year subscription to
The Citizen
only$' 600
Enclosed is $36.00 for a 1 -year subscription
Name
Address
Town Postal Code
On-line subscriptions available too at www.northhuron.on.ca
Mail cheque & coupon to:
P.O. Box 429, P.O. Box 152,
Blyth, ON NOM 1H0 Brussels, ON NOG 1H0