UNews - Community Arts Centre

Future of Penny Building looks bright

trevor.kenney — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 21:23:46 +0000

It's taken a few years, but the redevelopment of the downtown Dr. James Foster Penny Building is coming along. Parts of the building are already accessible and the main floor is set to open in January 2013. A recent $800,000-renovation to Level 1 and sections of Level 2 has enhanced the building immensely.

Upon completion, the Alumni Relations office within ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Advancement will move into its new home, complete with five offices and a meeting room. As well, a new ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ gift shop will be created and the art gallery space updated, allowing Faculty of Fine Arts students a venue to showcase their work. The building's entrance will also be spruced up and the stairwell to the second floor is receiving a facelift.

An artist's conception of the lobby area inside the Penny Building.

The U of L Conservatory of Music is calling the second level of the Penny Building home until it moves into the new downtown Community Arts Centre in the spring of 2013.

Meanwhile, other areas of Level 2 continue to undergo construction, including a community meeting room, boardroom and upgrades to the washrooms and kitchen area.

The U of L Call Centre is also housed on the upper level of the building. It will continue to occupy the space part time throughout the year.

Renovations to the Penny Building have been ongoing since it was donated to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge in 2007. Formerly a furniture store and a pool hall, the Penny Building has a long history in Lethbridge. Unfortunately, it wasn't in the greatest condition when the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ took ownership, and with no set purpose for its use, construction to the building didn't get off to a roaring start.

The Project Management Office (PMO) first began work on the building to make it functional starting with the creation of gallery space for the Faculty of Fine Arts. However, there was a slight delay before the gallery could move in.

"We were doing the renovation for Fine Arts, but at the time, the Southern Alberta Art Gallery needed a home because their building was being renovated, says Project Manager Greg Lacey. "So we renovated the Penny Building for Fine Arts knowing that they wouldn't move in until after SAAG was done occupying the building."

In 2010, SAAG moved out and Fine Arts moved in, and soon after the PMO began an overhaul of the mechanical components throughout the building. Previously, each floor was broken into two zones, which offered little control of the heating and cooling systems among other mechanical operations.

"We did that for functionality of the space because we wanted to be able to mechanically zone the area to outfit anything we wanted to," says Lacey.

All renovations included the installation of energy efficient lighting and low voltage relays. A new hot water tank was also installed.

"We are using anything we can to make the building as energy efficient as possible," says Lacey.

Situated in downtown Lethbridge, the 2,862 gross sq. m. Penny Building not only presents more space for U of L programming, it is the perfect site for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ to host events and further immerse itself into the community – part of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's strategic plan to build relationships off campus.

"Right from the get-go, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ identified the building as a good place to have galas and other events," says Lacey, adding many events have already been held on the site.

Future phases of the building project have yet to be outlined, but it may include renovations to the bar, art gallery area, and storage space as well as new signage.

This story first appeared in the December 2012 issue of the Legend. For a look at the entire issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Campaign surpasses goal

trevor.kenney — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 22:05:33 +0000

Music in the Making fundraising campaign surpasses $650,000

Elected representatives, funding partners and a handful of local arts community members got a close-up look at the new Community Arts Centre today.

With construction on time, on budget and now halfway to completion, the City of Lethbridge held a briefing and tour of the $20.7-million facility for federal, provincial and municipal officials.

Also present were local artists and representatives of the Allied Arts Council as well as the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Conservatory of Music, which will be a major tenant when the Community Arts Centre opens in May, 2013.

Support for the U of L Music Conservatory's move to the downtown location has been overwhelmingly positive, and is natural extension of an already-productive City/��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ partnership, according to U of L President Mike Mahon.

"The City of Lethbridge and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge have a long history of partnering together to improve the personal well-being of individuals and families, and to enhance the quality of life in local and regional communities," says Mahon. "We are excited to be a key tenant in the new Community Arts Centre as we work with other members of the southern Alberta community to improve access to the arts in our community."

Mahon says that community support was critical to the extremely successful conclusion of the Music in the Making fundraising campaign, launched last year to support the Conservatory's move downtown.

"We set a goal of $500,000, and I am pleased to say that we exceeded it by more than $150,000. Our volunteers and Lottie Austin and George Evelyn, who co-chaired this campaign, have good reason to be proud of the future opportunities their work will provide to current and future Conservatory students."

Funded by the Building Canada Fund – Community Components (BCF-CC) program, Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI), and the City of Lethbridge, the Community Arts Centre will serve as a local arts education hub and become the new off-campus home of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's music conservatory. In addition, an enhancement to the south-east entrance plaza area is being undertaken by the Rotary Club of Lethbridge.

"Today's tour highlights the Government of Canada's commitment to creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity," said Jim Hillyer, Member of Parliament for Lethbridge, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification.

"Once completed, this project will further strengthen our city's creative community, while providing new opportunities for residents and visitors to experience Lethbridge's cultural attractions."

Senate recognizes duo

trevor.kenney — Mon, 07 May 2012 21:26:11 +0000

Lottie Austin and George Evelyn have repeatedly shown their willingness to commit personal time and resources to increasing community awareness and appreciation of the arts.

Professor Emeritus in the Department of Music and recipient of the Distinguished Teaching Medal, Evelyn developed a fundraiser for the U of L Singers called the Festival of Art and Song. A founding member of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's Planned Giving Committee, Austin chaired the Festival of Art and Song Committee for several years, and was key to the festival's success, ensuring it met and exceeded its fundraising goal every year.

Lottie Austin and George Evelyn have earned the 2012 Senate Volunteer Award.

Austin and Evelyn share a passion for education and music performance, and an expertise in administration. The U of L's arts and music programs have received broader awareness through their efforts.

The two agreed to be co-Chairs of the Music in the Making campaign, and have been critical in its success.

Designed to benefit the U of L Music Conservatory and launched in 2011, the Music in the Making campaign surpassed its fundraising goal of $500,000, thanks in large part to Austin and Evelyn's efforts to rally supporters of the arts and of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. Campaign funds will support the purchase of appropriate equipment and musical instruments for the Music Conservatory's new space in the Community Arts Centre in downtown Lethbridge. The success of this campaign will allow the Conservatory to successfully relocate to its new home.

For their unwavering commitment to the U of L and the community, Lottie Austin and George Evelyn are the recipients of the 2012 Senate Volunteer Award for volunteer work on behalf of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

This story first appeared in the May issue of the Legend. For a look at the full issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Conservatory campaign off to rousing start

trevor.kenney — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 18:07:53 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge officials, community volunteers and students from the U of L Conservatory of Music launched the "Music in the Making" campaign on Friday afternoon with more than half of their ambitious goal already achieved.

The $500,000 community-based campaign will support the Conservatory's move to the new Community Arts Centre, currently under construction in downtown Lethbridge, east of Galt Gardens on the corner of 8th St. S and 3rd Ave. S.

The Conservatory will be a major tenant in the facility, which will enhance the ability for members of the community to experience and enjoy the arts. With more than $250,000 raised to date, the campaign is well underway, according to campaign Co-chairs Lottie Austin and Dr. George Evelyn.

"Music in the Making will support the Conservatory so that students have access to the equipment and tools necessary to be successful," explains Evelyn, who's excited about the opportunities presented by the new downtown location. "This is an important step as we continue to grow music in our community."

"Music has been a part of my life since my mother signed me up for violin lessons when I was five," says Evelyn, who grew up and completed his training in the United States before immigrating to Canada in 1973. He recently retired from the U of L after a more than 25-year tenure as a professor of music in the Faculty of Fine Arts and as the director of the U of L Singers.

"Although it wasn't with a violin under my chin, I've had a rewarding career and from that first lesson on it seemed natural that music was something I was going to do forever."

Austin acknowledges her business activities have led her away from music, but maintains she constantly finds applications for the skills she learned as a musician. "Music taught me to analyze, to set goals, to compartmentalize, to work towards success and those same tenets can be directly applied to a career in business. I know the majority of people who take lessons will not go on to be professional musicians but they will always carry music with them. It is a core component that no matter where you are or what your circumstances are, you will always have music with you," says Austin.

Both Evelyn and Austin agree that investment in the U of L Conservatory of Music is an investment in community. "By supporting the development of musicians and performers, you create possibilities that extend beyond the practice room, theatre or recital hall – you are helping make our community a better place to live. It's one way your contribution can leave a lasting note on the world," says Austin.

Hitting all the right notes

trevor.kenney — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 20:48:11 +0000

Music in the Making campaign already halfway towards $500,000 goal

Lottie Austin and Dr. George Evelyn are all warmed up and ready to put on a show. As Co-Chairs for Music in the Making, a campaign for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Music Conservatory, the couple is showing thanks for the opportunities they've had by encouraging others to support something they love – music.

"Music is my core and my soul," says Austin, as her hands effortlessly move across the polished keys, filling her living room with a melody she's making up as she goes. If you listen closely, you'll probably hear Evelyn singing along.

Once a performance musician, Austin is no longer playing for a large crowd of expectant ticket holders. Instead, more often than not, she's playing in her own living room for Evelyn, who taught in the U of L music department for 26 years before retiring in 2009.

"Music has been a part of my life since my mother signed me up for violin lessons when I was five," says Evelyn, who grew up and completed his training in the United States before immigrating to Canada in 1973. "Although it wasn't with a violin under my chin, I've had a rewarding career and from that first lesson on it seemed natural that music was something I was going to do forever."

Lottie Austin and Dr. George Evelyn are encouraged by the support shown for the Music Conservatory.

For these two, music is more than notes on a page – it's laid a foundation on which they've built their lives.

"My business activities have led me away from music, but I constantly find application for the skills I learned as a musician," says Austin, who currently works in the finance industry. "Music taught me to analyze, to set goals, to compartmentalize, to work towards success and those same tenets can be directly applied to a career in business. I know the majority of people who take lessons will not go on to be professional musicians but they will always carry music with them. It is a core component that no matter where you are or what your circumstances are, you will always have music with you."

Having benefitted themselves, this couple is working hard to make sure more people have access to quality music education. Plans for the new Community Arts Centre in downtown Lethbridge include space for the U of L Conservatory, allowing for expansion and growth and helping to build confidence in a new generation of musicians.

"Music in the Making will help provide the support necessary for the Conservatory to continue delivering quality programs and ensure students have access to the equipment and tools necessary to be successful," explains Evelyn, who's excited about the opportunities presented by the new downtown location. "This is an important step as we continue to grow music in our community."

As construction of the Community Arts Centre gets underway, Austin and Evelyn are excited that the Music in the Making campaign has already reached $250,000 of its $500,000 goal.

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For more information on the Music in the Making campaign or to contribute, please e-mail advancement@uleth.ca or call 1-866-552-2582.

UNews - Community Arts Centre

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