The 亚洲天堂 Lake Interpretive Centre Building will remain the home of the Lakes Artisan Cooperative (LAC).  The Village of 亚洲天堂 Lake has committed to a three year rental agreement starting Jan. 1, 2013.  The local co-op currently occupies the building but their lease was set to expire at the end of this year.

Some controversy was associated with the co-op鈥檚 rental of the facility.  A number of letters directed to Village of 亚洲天堂 Lake council expressed concern that the artisan鈥檚 use of the facility was in effect a subsidization of a private business by the Village of 亚洲天堂 Lake because the rent did not cover the cost of the building.

This situation could have been interpreted as a conflict with the municipal statutes that govern the village鈥檚 dealings with local business.   On the advice of legal council the village determined that a public tender of the facility would both determine the fair market value of the lease as well as protect the village from allegations of a subsidizing a local private business.

On Nov. 2, 2012 the Village of 亚洲天堂 Lake issued a call for an 鈥榚xpression of interest鈥� from local businesses or individuals that might be interested in leasing the building from the village.

According to an Oct. 1 Village of 亚洲天堂 Lake council report there are $9585.88 per year in costs associated with the building.

Only one group expressed formal interest in renting the building, and that was the current renters.  The LAC proposed a five year renter鈥檚 agreement but village council agreed to three years.  They will rent the building for $500 per month for three years including utilities, taxes, exterior maintenance and snow removal.

The LAC鈥檚 stated purpose in renting the facility is to 鈥減rovide a wide representation of all artistic aspects of the Lakes District鈥� and they are actively encouraging First Nation artisans to join the co-op.

鈥淚t鈥檚 always been our focus to encourage First Nations artists,鈥� said co-op member Candice Little.  鈥淔irst Nations art is in high demand, and now that we have three years of stability we can develop those relationships.鈥�

The space will continue to house an art gallery showcasing local artists and artisans and it also serves as a retail store and a space for work or social exchange like author readings or small cultural gatherings.

鈥淲e only showcase local art here,鈥� said Little.  鈥淲e鈥檝e had lots of offers to sell work on commission from other communities like Smithers, but we only sell local artists.鈥�

The building was originally built using funds from the Softwood Industry Community Economic Adjustment Initiative fund through Western Diversification of Community futures Development Corporation Nadina under the stipulation that the building be used as a 鈥渇irst-class tourism information and interpretive centre that is vital to creating new businesses, investment and employment in the tourism sector.鈥�

The LAC is confident that they meet the intent of the original funding not only by supporting local established and emerging artists but in directing visitors to other local shops and eateries.

鈥淲e鈥檝e had buses stop in here after visitor centre hours,鈥� Little explained, 鈥渁nd we鈥檝e opened our doors to provide coffee and information about the area.鈥�