For 20 years, Centre 64 has been trying to make their theatre more accessible. With a studio space for visual artists, a weaving studio for fibre artists, and performance and rehearsal space for performing artists, the Centre provides many opportunities for both locals and tourists to enjoy and be involved in art.
On Thursday, April 27 the Kimberley Arts Council (KAC) announced their proposal for the installation of a wheel chair platform lift.
Building Expansion and Renovation Committee Chair, Carol Fergus, has put together a campaign to raise funds for the lift. The campaign is called Give us a Lift, and the goal for the Kimberley Arts Council is, “inclusivity for all.”
Fergus and the KAC reached out to artist Caprice Hogg to Champion the campaign because of her knowledge and experience with accessibility.
“I think I’m a bit of an obvious candidate,” says Hogg, who is confined to a wheel chair. “I have been involved with the centre for years and active in the community. Several years ago I was on the accessibility committee, helping businesses and places to become more accessible, so it was kind of an automatic fit.”
According to kimberleyarts.com, the theatre can only be reached by several flights of stairs. The staircase not only poses a challenge for those in wheelchairs, but for the elderly and infirm as well.
“I’ve only been up to the theatre once, where I got some big strong guy to carry me up, and carry me up, and up, and up, and then I’m like, ok never doing that again,” says Hogg. “It’s not an easy place to get to.”
“I know there are a lot of elderly people too who have had issues getting up and down those stairs so the lift is not just for wheelchairs; [it’s for] people with walkers, or difficulties in general,” says Hogg. “I’ve talked to many people over the years who have just had strokes or whatever, and they can still walk, but they can’t do that many stairs, so it’s been kind of a hindrance for a lot of people to be able to get to the theatre.”
Hogg says she supports the Council’s initiative 100 per cent. “It will definitely be beneficial. I am very excited that it’s hopefully going to come to fruition.”
According to President of the Board of Directors for KAC, Mike Redfern, the original plan was to renovate and expand the arts centre to accommodate a ground floor theatre that would seat up to 250. In June 2011, they purchased the land adjacent to Centre 64 with the intention to expand.
Unfortunately there is a large amount of funding required in order to realize that plan, so in the mean-time, the KAC is going to make changes to their current theatre so it is more accessible and inclusive for all.
“The estimated cost of this [lift] project, is somewhere in the region of $175,000; a little more possible than $6-10 million,” says Redfern.
“I know the centre has already done a lot, like the doors at the front and the bathrooms are accessible, and all these different types of things,” says Hogg. “I’ve been using the centre for many years, I teach art lessons there, and I have no problem getting around, so to make everything more accessible is definitely a goal.”
The KAC is working on several grants to raise money for the campaign, and from now until September they will be hosting a number of fundraising events. The events include a garage sale, a gumboot stomp, a food, beer, and wine tasting event, and a photography presentation.
You can support the Give us a Lift campaign by making a donation, or attending one of the many events. For more information or to get involved give the Centre a call at 250-427-4919 or email kimberleyarts@gmail.com.
