City Council Gives Junction East Green Light

The Junction East project passed its final approval milestone at the June 28, 2022, City Council meeting. Council approved staff recommendations related to the conceptual design, business plan, operational model and financial plan for the new cultural campus. The project will now proceed to the detailed design and construction phases.

The building design, presented to Council on May 3, 2022, is the result of almost 18 months of work by the project team and is based on the most extensive engagement process in the City’s history. Community feedback indicates residents want a facility that features iconic architecture, and is a destination for visitors and a catalyst for change.

Originally presented to Council in 2015 as two separate projects by the Greater Sudbury Public Library and the Art Gallery of Sudbury, Council directed staff to work with both groups to assess the potential for a shared facility. This was selected as a priority project for Council in April 2016.

Over the past six years, in accordance with key directions and support from Council, the project evolved into an iconic municipal facility, situated downtown, on one of the most prominent sites in Greater Sudbury. The project supports our community’s commitment to accessibility, environmental sustainability, multiculturalism, social inclusion and culture.

Junction East responds to the goals and objectives described in the City of Greater Sudbury Strategic Plan 2019-2027. The project also aligns with the goals set out in the Community Energy and Emissions Plan (CEEP) and Multi-year Accessibility Plan.

Staff will continue to work with the design team to develop the tender documents and detailed drawings necessary to issue a Construction Tender in Q1 of 2023. The tender will be issued to the pre-qualified constructors.

For more information on Junction East and the City’s other Large Projects, visit www.greatersudbury.ca/largeprojects. 

View the full June 28, Report to Council.

Quotes:
“This was a very important milestone for the Junction East Project, our city and our partners. We all know that we must continue to invest in ourselves, strategically renewing our aging facilities and at the same time, rethinking how municipal services will be delivered for years to come. This facility will showcase a contemporary esthetic with unprecedented levels of sustainable facility design, collaboration, accessibility, and inclusion in the way we will offer artistic and creative experiences to people of all ages in Greater Sudbury.” -- Mayor of Greater Sudbury

“On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Art Gallery of Sudbury | Galerie d'art de Sudbury, we express our sincerest thanks to Mayor Bigger and to the entire Council for the support that they have shown for community, collaboration, and innovation by approving Junction East. The Gallery's dream of making art and the art stories of our communities accessible to all began in 2010, when Group of Seven artist Franklin Carmichael's daughter, Mary Mastin, offered over 30 works of art from her father's estate as a lead gift incentive for a new purpose-built Category A public art gallery for the community of Greater Sudbury. Through innovative partnerships that the City fostered and nurtured, our dream is now going to become reality as we move forward as a community with Junction East.  We truly are building for the future and building the future together.” -- Paula Gouveia, Co-chair, Art Gallery of Sudbury 

“The Sudbury Theatre Centre is proud to be a partner in the Junction East project, and a member of this new exciting cultural campus. We are excited by the cross pollination that will now be possible between organizations, and the partnerships that will be formed to augment the programming we can offer to our patrons, and to the young artists participating in our education programs. This project is a beacon to all those who live here, are considering a move here, or just coming to visit, that arts and culture in this community is alive and well!” -- Patricia Meehan, Chair, Sudbury Theatre Centre

“This is the culmination of decades of planning for a new central library, the GSPL Board is thrilled to see the Junction East vision become a reality. Junction East will allow GSPL to deliver modern, efficient, and responsive library services in an iconic facility that is open and inclusive to all. We are particularly excited to continue working in collaboration with our Junction East partners to build this cultural hub.” -- Michael Bellmore, Chair, Greater Sudbury Public Library Board Chair 

“The Sudbury Multicultural and Folk Arts Association is thrilled to be a part of the Junction East Cultural Campus. By expanding into Junction East, we are connecting to community partners who have similar values and valuable resources to offer. Not only will Junction East equip our organization with the tools to thrive and continue to provide essential services to newcomers, it reinforces the economic importance of newcomers to our community. SMFAA is excited about the opportunities to work with our partners on community initiatives, creating a richness in experience, education and spirit of sharing, and we are confident that Junction East will be a place to honour our northern Ontario heritage while embracing and celebrating our cultural diversity.” -- Bela Ravi, President, Sudbury Multicultural and Folk Arts Association