By Katie Stobbart (Contributor) – Email
Print Edition: February 27, 2013
There is something about the presence of an older building that links a community together.
As modern buildings spring up like new shoots from the ground, older landmarks that have been around for decades seem to grow deeper roots; the city has built itself around them.
When the new Abbotsford Community Library opened in November, the old MSA Centennial Library closed its doors. Since then, the future of the 45-year-old building has been up in the air – but there seems to be no question that the structure should be preserved in some way.
The downtown core of Abbotsford is home to a number of shops and restaurants, from the Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings to Jubilee Park, which neighbours the green-tiled library building. It has been suggested by a coalition of grassroots community groups (including the Friends of the MSA Centennial Library) that the structure would be an ideal home for a Downtown Arts Centre.
At over 6000 square feet, the two-storey library would have ample gallery space upstairs and rooms for meetings downstairs. Abbotsford’s Kariton Gallery, which currently showcases local work and has limited meeting space for community groups, is 870 square feet. A larger building would mean the ability to meet the growing artistic needs of the community.
“It would be a space that smaller performing and visual artists can explore and showcase their work. We have thought of this being a venue for poetry slams, small single act plays, summer arts camps for children,” writes Ken Wuschke, the spokesperson for the Friends of the MSA Centennial Library, in his blog, Urban Choices.
Increased square footage also introduces opportunities for financial sustainability: the Downtown Arts Centre Visioning plan includes ideas such as renting out basement rooms for events, hosting workshops and summer camps, and having a coffee or dessert bar on the main floor.
The Downtown Arts Centre would be a destination for visitors to Abbotsford as well as for residents.
“The Reach [Gallery and Museum] is excellent at bringing the world’s artists to Abbotsford. Meanwhile, an arts centre at the MSA Centennial Library would show Abbotsford’s artists to the world,” Wuschke envisions.
Such a centre would certainly fit with the profile of the area. The old library building backs onto Jubilee Park, which serves as the outdoor venue for Jam in Jubilee every summer. It is also within walking distance of the Berry Festival on Montrose. The gallery would be an additional stop for boutique shoppers interested in buying local art pieces during events such as these.
The old library was first built to celebrate the Centennial of Confederation in 1967; its history and central location may well ensure its presence at the next centennial celebration should the building be repurposed.
The proposal from the Friends of the MSA Centennial Library is still under consideration.
