A history of the Charlotte Street School Project

1995 to 2000: A group of Fredericton artists met in 1995 to discuss establishing an arts centre. The Fredericton Arts Alliance (FAA) asked the province for a long-term lease for the Charlotte Street School under which the City would own the building housing both a seniors’ facility and an arts centre. Negotiations broke down over the cost of renovations and repairs.

2001 to 2003: In 2001, the FAA held a public meeting of artists, representatives from Fredericton Heritage Trust and Queen’s Square Neighbourhood Association. It solidly endorsed the idea of an arts and learning centre in the school. A new association, FAL, was formed to take on the task. It recruited volunteers with expertise for the project: business advisors, legal advisors, accountants, architects, artists and educators. FAL was incorporated in 2001, and became a registered charity in 2002.

In late 2001, FAL met with provincial and federal representatives and Canadian Heritage. FAL got a verbal commitment to acquire the school for $1, with the understanding that this would open the door to funding from the Cultural Spaces Program of Canadian Heritage equal to one third of the property value. In 2002, the provincial Cabinet changed that agreement and offered to sell the school to FAL for $70,000, with FAL to raise the money by selling off two housing lots from the property. FAL started fundraising, but objected to this idea as the neighbours opposed it and it would cut into land required for parking.

After several meetings with the neighbourhood association and provincial officials, FAL achieved a pre-election promise in 2003 that it could buy the building for the original $1 investment. That fall, the NB Arts Board approved $25,000 for equipment for the auditorium, conditional on FAL acquiring and renovating the building.

FAL had important support from Greenarm Development and Jon Oliver, architect, in making the case that the old school could be revitalized to a new and exciting life.

2004: In January, the Province agreed to the property transfer provided FAL proved it could repair and renovate the school. Time was important, as the school had suffered increasing damage during four unheated winters.

City Council rezoned the property, with the Queen’s Square Neighbourhood Association and Fredericton Heritage Trust formally endorsing FAL’s application.

FAL looked widely for funding. Commanding officers at CFB Gagetown liked FAL’s proposal for a partnership on the repairs. The 4 Engineer Support Regiment, which trains electricians, plumbers, and carpenters, would bring the school’s mechanical systems to current building codes as part of their training. The regiment would donate the labour and FAL would pay for materials.

Despite all advice to hire a professional fundraiser for this large project, we were unable to get seed funding. Faced with the fundraising imperative, FAL launched a community-level drive entirely with volunteers, raising more than $ 70,000. More than 100 volunteers from all walks of life pitched in. FAL was awarded the unusually large sum of $10,000 from the Fredericton Community Foundation. New Brunswick Lt-Governor Herménégilde Chiasson assumed the role of Honorary Chair of FAL.

When the Federal Cultural Spaces Program was renewed, FAL applied for $237,000, which was approved in October. The Province’s Heritage Branch confirmed $30,000 toward restoration. FAL’s $5,000 application to the City’s Arts and Heritage Program was approved. In December, the City approved a capital grant for $30,000, its first such grant for a project in the arts or heritage.

2005: January 11, the 4 Engineer Support Regiment began the renovations. Their work extended into July. It included demolishing temporary walls, false ceilings, and fake panelling; complete replacement of the plumbing; complete renovation of the washrooms and installation of additional fixtures to meet the code requirements for the auditorium; all new electrical intake and wiring; and refurbishment of the sprinkler system. We invested $60,000 in basic equipment for the auditorium that will seat 175.

In June, the Province’s Regional Development Corporation provided $100,000 for renovations. FAL hired contractors for phase two of the work that included plaster repair, painting and preparing the spaces for tenants to move in. The Charlotte Street Arts Centre was fully occupied on opening with a dynamic mix of arts and cultural organizations and individual artists.

Throughout we have had support and encouragement from provincial Minister Brad Green, and Hon. Andy Scott , MP, (in whose ridings the school is located). Many others listed under “FAL people” on our website have provided valuable assistance, moral and financial support. We appreciate it all.

Funding for the Charlotte Street School Project as of October 2005

$ 237,000          Canadian Heritage, Cultural Spaces Program, 2004

84,800          Canadian Heritage, Cultural Spaces Program, 2005

   100,000           Province of NB, Regional Development Corporation

     30,000            Province of NB, Heritage Branch

     30,000            City of Fredericton, Capital Grant

     25,000            NB Arts Board (juried)

       5,000            City, Arts and Heritage Program (juried)

     95,000            Fundraising (community-level events and individual donations)

     10,000            Fredericton Community Foundation

$ 616,800            Total

$ 100,000            Estimated value of labour donated by CFB Gagetown

Awards
Development Award for Community Building, Fredericton City Council
Paul Harris Fellow Award, Rotary Clubs of Fredericton, Fredericton Heritage Trust Award