Election 2013 Q&A

Arts Centre for Edson Society
Responses from Edson Mayor & Town Councillors
During the 2013 Election Campaign

1. How do you feel arts and culture enriches our community?

Greg Pasychny: Arts and culture enriches our community by enhancing our quality of life and providing a much needed balance to our everyday routines.

Trevor Bevan: Did not reply.

Brian Boyce: Arts and culture: literature, performing arts, visual arts, music, etc. provide beauty, enjoyment/entertainment, education and inspiration to patrons and participants. These experiences bring people together and enrich our lives.

Gean Chouinard: Arts broadens your mind. From the young to the old, the arts is something everyone can enjoy.

Jim Gomuwka: Living a significant part of my life in Edson, I can honestly say that the arts and culture community of Edson has flourished.  We have some amazing talent in our community.  Moreover, we are offering the next generation an opportunity to succeed and enrich their lives in Edson.

Tammy Strang: The arts and culture inspires vision, provides leadership, encourages arts education and supports artistic and cultural excellence that enriches our lives. All these things make up a healthy, full-enriched life where we can grow or kids, youth and families can be creative and be involved.

Janet Wilkinson: As a teacher, I am aware of the benefit that art has in a child’s learning. A colleague once pointed out that there is nothing that cannot be learned, if it is accompanied by music. Our community has many art and culture events such as the Palette and Pottery Exhibit and Arts on Fire. Classes are offered in different mediums through the arts center located at the library. We have many talented artists and potters in the community who share their talents as instructors. I have attended most of the Rotary in the Park performances. The attendance has been disappointing for a town that desires to have a larger venue for performances. I often attend functions at the library and the Red Brick, I am a season ticket holder for the Chautauqua performances.

 2. Do you support the proposed arts centre project in Edson? Why or why not?

Pasychny: I definitely support new projects and the arts centre being one of them. I really like how much thought was put into make an existing facility more functional, you can tell a lot of planning and thought went into the design. Like any new project it would be a huge asset to our community.

Bevan: Did not reply.

Boyce: I do support the arts centre, although it is currently not my first priority. The recreation centre has a large under-utilized curling rink and the synergy of combining some of that space with an arts centre would make it a more valuable regional asset.

Chouinard: Yes I support the arts centre. The proposal put forth to Council was complete. It will upgrade and modernize an already existing building (Rec Complex), making it useable year round. It will be used by everyone (ie school concerts) and event functions (ie 100th anniversary like the ESO and Shumpka Dancers).

Gomuwka: In one word, no.  Peter Taylor and I have had a couple conversations in regards to my position on this project.  Although I applaud ACES for its attempt at renovating and recreating use for the Edson and District Recreation Complex, I hold strong in my position that this community can only operate one facility.  I am only in full support of one multiuse facility that houses both the Fieldhouse and Arts Centre.  Why?

  • One building.  One operation.  One set of operating costs.
  • If the Municipality is to lobby for Provincial funds for one project, we will lessen the chance of the second project from receiving the same funds in the future, or delaying the start of the second project.
  • If both projects are in one building, you will increase your usage and lessen the potential operational deficit.

Strang: Venues such as hockey rinks, pools, museums, and art galleries are all important places in the community, because it’s just as important to be able to access sports facilities and parks as arts and culture spots.

Wilkinson: I do support the concept of an arts center in Edson. I have always been troubled by the location. I feel it is very dangerous to cross the main highway. We do need a venue that is large enough to support performances in Edson. I feel the public need to be included in the decision making and a plebiscite is warranted.

3. If elected, how much of a priority do you place on the proposed arts centre?

Pasychny: Like all projects it will come down to funding. With the new Yellowhead County deal that we struck in the last term, it definitely allows us to move forward and look at new projects. It will be up to the new council as a whole to set that priority and not an individual decision.

Bevan: Did not reply.

Boyce: Project priority will be set by the new council during the budget process. My personal priorities are: (1) a new pool with a walking track (2) Arts Centre. Priorities may change due to grant availability such as happened with funding for the new museum. A new sewer line to our west boundary is a must and is pending the results of the scoping study. Part of that project funding will come from off-site levies. Construction of major, new projects could not likely start until 2015.

Chouinard: As a want of the community I put a high priority on the arts centre. It will be heavily used and bring in many new users to the Rec Complex.

Gomuwka: If elected, I would commit myself to sitting down with both the Arts Centre and the Fieldhouse to come up with one vision for both projects.  When both projects agree on one concept, I will commit my support to a financial plan that will bring an Arts Facility and Fieldhouse to Edson, but I will not support a tax increase to do so.  I will support the future fundraising and lobbying that will need to be done to bring this project to reality.

Strang: Comes down to what the Edson Resident decides and wants to support when Capital Funding comes available.

Wilkinson: I feel the Arts Center is needed as well as many other facilities. Our Citizens will have to make choices and decisions that will affect their lives, either Through use or taxation.