Considering the land, funding and community support required, establishing an outdoor pavilion in Okotoks would be a massive task. But six community members are determined to make this dream a reality. Michelle Lefrancois and Ross Youngblood, representatives of the grassroots group, pitched their idea to town council on July 16. “I believe the Town has the opportunity to capitalize on a unique outdoor venue with the potential to become a centrepiece for arts, culture, entertainment, and community events,” said Lefrancois. “Various groups could use this; the list is endless.” To name just a few, Lefrancois suggested the venue could benefit the Alberta Dance Academy, Okotoks Arts Council, and Dewdney Players. The Olde Towne Plaza is currently available for outdoor performances but is considered too small to accommodate the size of events the group wishes to host like larger festivals, concerts, graduations, and recitals. Dewdney member and Coun. Ed Sands said the idea has merit. “Culture is an important amenity to a community. We tend to focus an awful lot on sporting facilities… and then the segment of the community that’s art focused says, ‘oh, we’ll convert an old train station or a church,’… they don’t have the appropriate facilities that sports tend to have,” said Sands. He advised the group to be comprehensive in determining people and groups that could get involved and to consider a multifunctional location and design, like a full-on performing arts facility. “When we have demonstrated community need, it certainly makes it coming into reality a whole lot easier,” he said. “Good luck to them, I think it’s a visionary thing.” The group has been acting in accordance to Sands’ advice and is making strides on progression. It started a petition two weeks ago that has about 400 names. Locations have been suggested, including Riverside, Ethel Tucker Park, Seaman Stadium, and Mountainview. They have spoken with Sprung Structures about how much the pavilion would cost. “We were hoping the Town could donate the land, the people could donate their time, and we could organize a music festival [to fundraise],’ said Lefrancois. The town would retain ownership over the proposed venue. Coun. Florence Christophers recognizes the idea is in the early stages and is awaiting challenges, but is excited about the concept. “I love to see the community have ideas of what they need and want, and to come together to create momentum, to share ideas, to collaborate, and to make it happen,” said Christophers. “If they’re excited, I’m excited. That’s my job. “I know that there are ways that we can move this forward creatively and affordably… if we all come together we will be able to support this group in pulling this off without tax dollar increases.”
