Public To Find Out Soon How New Arts And Culture Centre In Yarmouth Will Be Run

news@radioabl.ca April 11, 2018 4:09 pm Last Updated on February 25, 2026 8:17 pm

A board governance framework will be presented to town council later this month.

A meeting was held last night with town officials, stakeholders and the consulting firm of McInnes Cooper, which was hired by the town to help develop the framework.

Lead consultant Cheryl Hodder says there was good public engagement, both at last night’s session and online.

“Most people want a governance model that’s a sustainable model with appropriate oversight.”

Hodder says they are very impressed by the vision and forward thinking of the Yarmouth town council.

Deputy Mayor Phil Mooney says McInnes Cooper will present a draft report to council during an April 18 conference call with the final report due April 27.

Mooney says he doesn’t buy into the criticism that the Tri-Counties wouldn’t support the facility.

“All you have to do is look at the last three community public engagement sessions. We had a broad section from the arts and culture community. We even had some of the people from Th’Yarc that came to one of the sessions. We see this as a Tri-County, all inclusive arts facility.”

(You can listen to the full interview with Phil Mooney and Cheryl Hodder on the Y95-CJLS Weekender this Sunday morning.)

Yarmouth artist Dan Earle says he’s excited the arts and culture centre will be located in the downtown.

“A centre that acts as an urban re-design as well as something to take care of the arts because I think it has a much greater impact than just being something for the artists.”

Author and photographer Sandra Phinney says she’s excited about the project and the potential for Yarmouth and that the town council is looking at all the facets.

“Like all the costs and is it realistic. I think the town is being super transparent and are approaching it the right way.”