By Don Urquhart, Times Chronicle
The Art Gallery Osoyoos is currently undergoing asbestos remediation work after it was identified in a hazard assessment of town-wide facilities identified it as having some significant risk to users from asbestos exposure.
In particular, the gallery basement (former jail cells) and pottery area were flagged as unusable. The amount of asbestos containing material in these two locations “is significant and remediation work should be carried out as soon as possible,” said Jared Brounstein, Director of Operational Services at the town.
Council was presented with options that included setting aside a budget for the demolition of the building or undertaking remediation work.
He noted that a remediation plan was being prepared and requested a budget of $75,000 to complete the necessary work. The funds would come out of the reserves.
Councillor Jim King asked about the potential for additional costs, such as having to patch up gyprock to which Bournstein indicated the remediation was focused on the exposed pipes and should anything come up in the remediation work it would be brought before council.
This work will require the Art Gallery building to be closed for the duration of the remediation work, which will include the removal of all asbestos containing material from the basement and pottery area.
Mayor Sue McKortoff expressed her concern over the disruption the closure would have on the gallery, saying, “This is going to affect the businesses and the community groups that take part in there, have you looked at any options?”
Gerald Davis, Director, Community Services at the town noted there is the possibility to use Desert Park building in the short term to help the gallery overcome the lost exhibition space.
“Speaking to the Arts Council they also lease a building across the street [The HUB at 8716 Main Street] and there is a possible opportunity to do something there for the gallery,” he said. The other option he noted was the Cactus Centre (9504 108 Ave) behind Osoyoos Elementary School.
He added nothing further has been looked into until council decides on the course of action.
Ultimately council voted to undertake remediation works as soon as possible.
The Okanagan Art Gallery, aka Hidden Door Gallery, of which a number of The Art Gallery Osoyoos members also belong, stepped up to provide one its walls to the gallery in order for it to hold its scheduled shows.
The Osoyoos Photo Club and Artists on Main are currently exhibiting “Pixels and Paint” at the Okanagan Art Gallery at 8302 Main Street from Saturday, March 30 to Monday, April 20.
