The Gallery at Centre 64 will be closed from Saturday, November 14 to Tuesday, November 17, while a sprinkler system is installed. Providing everything works out as planned, the Gallery will reopen Wednesday, November 18, when visitors can return to view the current exhibition, Rock, Water & Wood, by Kimberley painter, Judy Winter, which runs until November 21. The other facilities at Centre 64 will remain open during this period.
The City of Kimberley has hired a contractor to install a sprinkler system in the arts centre to meet fire regulations. While the centre has operated without sprinklers since it opened in 1976, future plans to install an elevator to the upper floor gallery and theatre cannot proceed without this required fire safety system being installed.
Work started on the installation in late October with the basement receiving attention first and will continue throughout November and into December.
Centre 64 administrator, Christine Besold, says that every effort is being made to interfere as little as possible with programs and events at the arts centre but some disruptions are unavoidable. However, Off Centre Players’ production of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”, scheduled for the Theatre at Centre 64 from November 12 to 14, will be unaffected by the work which will not start in the theatre until later. President of Kimberley Arts Council, Mike Redfern, asks that visitors and users of Centre 64 facilities be patient if interruptions occur to programs in which they are involved while the centre is being brought up to current fire safety code.