A memorandum of understanding (MOU) is now in place between the City of Cranbrook and the Cranbrook and District Arts Council (CDAC) around the potential future use of the former Fire Hall No. 1 as a permanent facility and arts centre.

It is important to clarify that council has not committed the space at the fire hall as the home for the CDAC; that is a discussion that council still needs to have.

The MOU is intended to enable the CDAC to assess the viability of repurposing the building and demonstrate that they can raise the necessary funds. Under the MOU, both the city and the CDAC agree to maintain an open dialogue, participate in meetings and working groups, and develop a business relationship that enhances the Project’s probability for success. The MOU does not create a partnership relationship or joint venture around the future use of the fire hall.

“This is an important first step in potentially finding a permanent home for the arts in Cranbrook,” says Mayor Wayne Stetski, “and the arts are important from an economic, cultural and healthy community perspective. Removing the asbestos is the responsible thing to do. As the landlord we need to ensure future tenants can safely occupy the building.”

The city is funding and contracting out the removal of asbestos from the fire hall and will make qualified city staff available as technical advisors during the engineering assessment.

Council approved $130,000 for the asbestos removal project in the 2014 budget. This is a necessary step to ensure the building is safe for occupancy regardless of who the future tenant will be.

City of Cranbrook

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