Centred on the historic Machine Shop, the Arts & Heritage Hub is a key part of Ladysmith's Waterfront Area Plan and is identified as a priority project in the Economic Development Strategy.

The draft concept design plan for the area is the result of several workshop sessions with key community stakeholders. It was approved by council on January 21st.

Council approved a federal grant application to help fund the first phase of the Arts & Heritage Hub concept plan.  The Hub is a key part of the Waterfront Area Plan.  The site currently includes the Machine Shop and the surrounding industrial heritage buildings.

The proposed first phase of the Arts & Heritage Hub concept plan, estimated at $4.3 million, could include artist studios, a cafe and gift shop as well as landscaping and parking improvements.

If the grant application is successful, the Town will commit up to $430,000 from its reserves to help fund the project.

The overall vision for the Arts & Heritage Hub will be carried out in multiple phases in future years as prioritized by council. View plans for the area here.

Concept Design Report

The Hub will be a meeting place for the people of Ladysmith, for tourists, and for those who work on the site. Here, arts and heritage activities in the community come together in a vibrant, interactive and creative place. It will be interesting; it will spawn curiosity; and, it will be fun for all. This report contains the program, the concept plan and the design details that can result in “creative place-making”. The uses proposed in the plan comprise approximately 45,000 square feet of space arranged in five heritage buildings and five new buildings.

Click here to view the entire Concept Design Report

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