Grand Opening of the Vanderhoof Cultural Centre!
The District of Vanderhoof is proud to present the Grand Opening of the Vanderhoof Cultural Centre.
The Vanderhoof Cultural Centre will enhance and celebrate local and regional culture as it fosters an in-depth understanding of Vanderhoof’s growing history. The Centre will be an inviting place that grows and evolves the history of our communities through art, community events, and local gatherings.
The Grand Opening ceremony will be held on June 30th, 2022, with opening remarks and speeches starting at 1:00 PM PST. After a cultural performance from Saik’uz First Nation and closing remarks from dignitaries, the ribbon will be cut, allowing attendees to tour the Centre and take in its inaugural exhibits.
The Vanderhoof Cultural Centre will provide a space for Vanderhoof residents and visitors to immerse themselves in culturally significant experiences through workshops, community events, and exhibits of historical artifacts and art from the Vanderhoof region. The Centre’s multi-use space features an open-floor gallery, modern vaulted wood ceilings, and energy-efficient fixtures that mitigate water and energy waste.
The District of Vanderhoof is extremely appreciative of the funding commitments received through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program’s (ICIP) Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure stream and Northern Development Initiative Trust’s (NDIT) Diversification Infrastructure Program. Through ICIP, the Federal Government has contributed $780,000 and the BC Government has contributed $520,000. Through the Diversification Infrastructure Program, NDIT has contributed $250,000 towards the visitor centre components of the project. In addition, the District would like to extend appreciation to the local industries which donated towards the project: Canfor Plateau for their donation of lumber for the construction of the Centre, and Sinclar Group Forest Products for their donation of $25,000.
The District of Vanderhoof is looking forward to opening the Vanderhoof Cultural Centre as it will encourage the community to learn more about our multi-faceted culture and attend the events we will host in the future.
QUOTES:
The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities
“The Vanderhoof Cultural Centre will give residents the space and opportunity to come together, share, learn, celebrate their cultural history, and the significant contributions of the Saik’uz First Nation. Our Government will continue to build vibrant and inclusive rural communities.”
Nathan Cullen, Minister of Municipal Affairs
“The Vanderhoof Cultural Centre will be a place to embrace history, celebrate culture and provide a gathering place for the community. The Province is proud to support the people of Vanderhoof through this new community amenity with additional support from the federal government.”
Mayor Gerry Thiessen, District of Vanderhoof
“The District of Vanderhoof is so excited and proud of the final version of our new Vanderhoof Cultural Centre. We are so thankful for the funding from the Federal and Provincial Governments, Northern Development Initiative Trust, as well as businesses such as Canfor and Sinclair. The Centre will be a landmark that will showcase the culture of both Saik’uz and the region around the Nechako Valley.”
Chief and Council, Saik’uz First Nation
“It has been important for our two communities to work together on shared initiatives that will bring a broad range of collective benefits to each of us while we walk together on the path towards reconciliation. Having members from each of our elective councils collaborate with staff on a beautiful facility that will breathe new life into our shifting regional economy is an act of rebuilding and building new relationships with each other. We are excited to share our resiliency and culturally-rich ingenuity as Yinka Dene (People of the Earth) reflected throughout the infrastructure and through the various programs and services that could be delivered.”