Delta’s newest arts centre is set to open in late summer.
The North Delta Centre for the Arts, located adjacent to the North Delta Recreation Centre on 84th Avenue, replaces the old Firehall Centre for the Arts.
“We anticipate substantial completion by the contractor in late June. The city will use the summer months to commission the building and test the systems with a soft opening in early September and an official opening in late September or early October,” parks, recreation and culture director Ken Kuntz explained.
The facility will have 11,000 square feet of space and is estimated to cost $7.7 million.
The two-storey structure will include a 100-plus retractable seat theatre with a large foyer and concession space, multiple music and meeting rooms.
The new arts centre will be able to accommodate public meetings and have a more formalized space for council meetings. Currently, every other council meeting is held at the Kennedy Seniors Centre.
Delta is paying for the arts centre in large part with money from a land deal with a developer. The developer purchased a portion of the North Delta Recreation Centre property to consolidate it with another property to build over 100 condo and townhouse units. That land sale was subject to approval of the housing development. Construction of those units is also well underway.
The land deal doesn’t entirely cover the cost of the new arts venue, so Delta is putting up $3.1 million.
