Paul Kyba has a simple message for whoever ends up sitting around the next council table in Qualicum Beach.
Keep supporting The Old School House arts centre as strongly as the current council has done.
Kyba, the vice-president of The Old School House arts centre society, made the comments during the official opening of the current photography exhibit at TOSH Wednesday night.
“There’s a lot of love for this building,” Kyba said. “TOSH has a very special relationship with the town. They are our landlord and our partner.”
In particular, Kyba said, the town has stepped up to the plate this year, conducting extensive renovations to the near century-old building.
“The operative word in The Old School House is ‘old,’” Kyba said. “It’s historical, it’s venerable, but it’s also old, nonetheless. This year, her age has been exposed for all to see, as is borne out by our current exhibition on the east wall, which is best viewed from the parking lot. I call it TOSH naked.”
The restoration project, while stressful for those utilizing the building, has been necessary, with the core structural integrity of the building needing to be dealt with.
“We have been comforted by the steady resolve of everybody in town hall to breath new life into TOSH,” Kyba said. “On behalf of the board of directors, I would like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation to the current town council. Their support and assistance has been tireless.”
Kyba extended his thanks into the future.
“To those elected to the new council, we look forward to working with you and we hope you will keep the spirit of TOSH alive in the manner we have come to expect from our town government.”