The Calgary based National accessArts Centre (NaAC) has launched a new open letter campaign to bring attention to a lack of conversation between their organization and the City of Calgary.

At issue is the years-long process that has been ongoing, which would have seen the NaAC move from the dilapidated Fairview Arena in southeast Calgary to the former Scouts building on Memorial Drive in the community of West Hillhurst.

According to NaAC CEO Jung-Suk (JS) Ryu, the organization is prepared to invest $1.6 million into the Scouts building to bring it up to code, and to provide dignified access for disabled Calgarians to the building. He said, however, that the $1.45 million they have secured, and the promise of an additional $300,000 to cover the gap to the $1.6 million mark hasn’t been enough for the City of Calgary.

Speaking directly to the City of Calgary, and to Ward 7 Coun. Terry Wong, Ryu said that he was flabbergasted that not having the entire $1.6 million in the bank would be the holdup for the project.

“I am happy that the City of Calgary has chosen to work with the heritage designation and come up with a tremendous solution, being that East facing entrance that would be barrier-free and have universal access for all,” he said.

“What I am not happy with is the increased, ballooned cost of building that expansion that has tripled the price of this project, and then placing the burden on a charity to fill the $1.6 million funding gap that the City threw on us less than nine months ago.”

The former Scouts building was designed in 1966 by famed Canadian architect and Calgary activist Jack Long, for whom the eponymous park in Inglewood is named.

The building was given a heritage designation in 2021 by Calgary city council, including a front-facing stair and ramp access to the building which, while forward-thinking for the 1960s, remains largely inaccessible by a large percentage of wheelchair users due to its slope, and doesn’t meet the modern code requirements for an accessible building.

After a City of Calgary proposal in 2022 to place the accessible entrance to the facility at the rear of the building was condemned by the NaAC and disability advocates, a solution to create a new barrier-free entrance and elevator on the east side of the building saw the project costs to renovate the facility balloon to $6.1 million.

The City of Calgary has agreed to cover $4.5 million of the project. That’s an increase from their initial commitment, as a result of a council decision made one year ago.

Due to space constraints, and the condition of the Fairview Arena building, the NaAC has been forced to rent additional space at locations like Decidedly Jazz Danceworks and other community venues.

The organization serves 350 Calgary-based artists with disabilities per week, said Ryu.

Timing of incoming funds shouldn’t impact artists, community: Ryu

Ryu said that despite being able to raise the $1.45 million of the remaining cost gap in the past six months, and as of last week, securing further support from major Calgary developer Trico Homes, he has been unable to come to a solution with the City of Calgary.

“We have $1.45 million in commitments, with $300,000 coming over the next five years. We have the money. There are creative solutions to make this work and proceed with this project without further delay. It’s the right thing to do for our community and the right thing to do for West Hillhurst,” he said.

“Because $300,000 of this will come in installments from our partners, you have said that this isn’t good enough.”

Ryu said the open letter campaign was launched as a result of his inability to secure a meeting with City of Calgary administration and Coun. Wong.

“What is now abundantly clear is that our organization, despite the incredible contributions we and our community continue to make in Calgary’s arts and culture scene and the disability community at large, are not good enough for you. So much for communities first, and so much for DEI,” Ryu said.

“My name isn’t Murray Edwards. My organization isn’t the Calgary Flames, which has received more than $500 million in taxpayer dollar support. I’m also not with Arts Commons, which is receiving $80 million. I’m also not with the Glenbow receiving $11 million.”

He said that his last conversation with the City of Calgary on the issue was in late fall of 2024 and that he was able to speak informally to Coun. Wong at a Lunar New Year event a week before the campaign launch.

“I had a very quick conversation with him last week at a Lunar New Year event, and his line to me was it’s an issue between you and administration. I can’t get involved, which, to me, is incredibly flabbergasting. If that is not your role as a city councillor to advocate for a community group that is about to activate a vacant space in your ward, then I don’t know what is,” Ryu said.

Prudent for taxpayers to see proof before construction begins says Coun. Wong

Coun. Wong, in response to questions from LWC, said that he had spoken to Ryu at two different social events in recent weeks.

“From 2023 to 2024, I’ve had an open dialogue with him, so I wasn’t sure why he was being snarky about it, right? But my comment to him is when it comes to supporting the National accessArts Centre and all the good ventures, yeah, I’m there with them. I can do whatever they want. If you want me to make a speech or do an opening, whatever,” Wong said.

“But when it comes to the actual logistics of getting the financing in and getting the build done, that’s clearly within the court of administration. Administration has work out with them all the particulars, because, once again, it’s not my job to be administration.”

Coun. Wong said that the City could not proceed, nor should it proceed, until there had been proof made available that 90 per cent of the funds for the construction was available.

“Of course, the city cannot proceed until we’re guaranteed that 90 per cent of the funding is available. Otherwise, we take on the liability of additional tenant approval construction costs. It falls on the city’s taxpayers. We have a fundamental rule that the tenant-partner needs to demonstrate that they are potentially whole to proceed with the renovation. That’s what we’re waiting for,” he said.

“Without getting into details, they’re looking for some reprieve from the city on their share, and we’re already putting up $4.5 million. So administration is trying to understand what additional support they’re looking for, and whether or not they can make the recommendation of council to do it.”