Kootenay Gallery of Art Announces Architectural Team for Landmark Relocation and Renovation Project
CASTLEGAR, BC — July 8, 2026 — The Kootenay Gallery of Art, History, and Science Society is thrilled to announce the selection of The Marc Boutin Architectural Collaborative Inc. (MBAC), with Patkau Architects Inc., as the architectural design collaboration team, for its highly anticipated gallery relocation and renovation project.
Following a rigorous Request for Proposals (RFP) process that drew submissions from top-tier firms across Canada, the gallery’s procurement committee selected MBAC to lead the project. Internationally recognized for creating innovative cultural and civic spaces, MBAC brings invaluable regional expertise to the project through their local Kootenay office based in Nelson, BC.
The project marks a major milestone for the Kootenay Gallery of Art, which will eventually be moving from its current facility on Heritage Way to its new downtown home at 292 Columbia Avenue. The relocation will create a modern, accessible, and vibrant cultural hub designed to better serve local artists, residents, and visitors while anchoring the continued revitalization of downtown Castlegar.
“We are incredibly excited to partner with MBAC,” said Joleen Kinakin, CEO of the Kootenay Gallery of Art. “Their expertise in creating deeply contextual cultural spaces perfectly aligns with our mission. Beyond expanding our capacity to showcase incredible art, establishing this permanent home downtown will act as a major economic driver for our region, bringing new vibrancy, foot traffic, and cultural tourism directly into our community.”
The design phase is set to progress throughout the summer of 2026, incorporating input from the Art Gallery team, local artists, and community stakeholders to deliver a facility that prioritizes sustainability, community engagement, and excellence in the arts.
Further updates regarding the project’s design, public engagement opportunities, and timeline will be shared as the process unfolds.
About the Kootenay Gallery of Art
Located in Castlegar, BC, the Kootenay Gallery of Art, History, and Science Society is a public art gallery dedicated to providing access to the arts for the West Kootenay region. Through a diverse range of exhibitions, educational programs, and community events, the Gallery fosters cultural enrichment and supports contemporary artists.
Media Contact:
Miranda Johnsen, PMP, PMI-ACP
Executive Assistant, on behalf of Joleen Kinakin, MA, ICD.D, CEO
Kootenay Gallery of Art, History and Science Society
Email: ea@kootenaygallery.com
Phone: +1 (250) 365-3337
Website: www.kootenaygallery.com
BREAKING NEWS!
Gallery Relocation – We’re Moving Downtown!
We’re excited to share that the Kootenay Gallery of Art, History, and Science has purchased a new home at 292 Columbia Avenue—right in the heart of downtown Castlegar. This move is a major step in our long-term vision to grow the Gallery’s impact, accessibility, and programming.
Relocating downtown helps us:
- Expand exhibition and programming space
- Improve visibility and community access
- Contribute to downtown revitalization
- Build a sustainable future for arts and culture in the region
The Process So Far…
This decision follows several years of planning and public engagement. While the Kootenay Gallery was originally slated to be part of the Eremenko building redevelopment, rising costs and changing timelines prompted the Board to explore alternatives. After extensive research and financial planning, we chose to purchase and renovate an existing building—a more sustainable, community-focused solution.
What’s Next?
- Working with designers to plan renovations
- Building our fundraising strategy
- Preparing for public updates and engagement opportunities
We’ll share more about our timeline and plans as they unfold. We’re honoured to have backing from the City of Castlegar, the BC Arts Council, and Regional District Area J, along with our dedicated partners and supporters. This project is truly a community collaboration, and we can’t wait to share it with you.
The Gallery is currently in an active phase of determining the best location in the Castlegar downtown core for relocation. Stay tuned to this page for more news regarding this exciting initiative.
Background
The Board of Directors for the Kootenay Gallery engaged in a Strategic Planning session in March 2014. Clear direction was given to Staff to proceed with plans to investigate the relocation of the Gallery. A relocation sub-committee was established late in 2013, and has been meeting regularly to research location, design, and community need, encompassing a strategic approach to the relocation planning.
To date, the following work has been completed:
- Initial ‘temperature gauge’ survey to Gallery members regarding their thoughts on the idea of relocation. With an excellent response rate of 28%, members reported overwhelming support for the idea of Gallery relocation.
- Stakeholder survey to artists, funders and other key individuals to gather feedback on their initial reaction to relocation as well as a high level needs assessment regarding infrastructure, programming and other suggestions regarding a relocated Gallery space. Again, the response rate to the survey was very high at 44.93% and the reaction to the idea of relocation overwhelmingly positive. Information gathered regarding the needs of this group has been documented and form the basis of the current vision for a relocated Gallery space.
- Hosted a public open house to gather input regarding the concept of relocation.
The community’s desired Arts Centre would be:
- easily accessible and centrally located
- embedded in the community and in close proximity to other attractants such as museums, shopping areas or other community facilities
- located in an area that has both pedestrian and vehicle traffic
- welcoming, relevant and accessible to people of all ages including children, youth and families
- bright, spacious and welcoming
- both a visual and performing arts space
- a facility with both indoor and outdoor, spacious, flexible visual arts display spaces
- a facility with workshop and meeting spaces, studios for artists and spaces to gather informally such as cafes, gardens and lounges
- a central hub or home to community arts organizations
- housed in building(s) or space(s) that are themselves a work of art
- outfitted with state-of-the-art technical and support services such as catering, bar, audio visual, communications, climate control, and warehousing that would support all events and programming
- Based on goals and objectives in the 2014-2017 Strategic Plan document, designed a process and framework comprised of a phased approach to the relocation concept, including Feasibility Study, Business Plan, Architectural Plans and Construction Plan.
- Following the unsuccessful outcome of actions designed to partner with the Castlegar Chamber of Commerce for a City directed building project in 2017, Outcomes from the Gallery’s 2017 Strategic Plan meetings included agreement to investigate renovating the existing gallery.
- In the process of this investigation, the City again approached the gallery with regard to a promising property located in downtown Castlegar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. When are you going to start renovating?
A. There are a lot of steps before we start the renovation process. Stay tuned for further news and information by visiting this page!
Q. What are you going to do with the current site?
A. There are several possibilities and we haven’t settled on one. We want to keep it as an active, vibrant cultural space.
Q. How are you going to pay for it all?
A. We will be writing grant applications to government bodies and foundations. Right now, there is a lot of government support for new infrastructure projects. We will also be fundraising in the community.
Q. How can I help?
A. You can make a donation, renew your membership or come to a fundraiser. If you want to get more involved, pass your name on to the Gallery.