Rossland Drill Hall

Rossland, BC

Website:
https://www.rosslandartscentre.com/
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3572 VOTES

Help give an old drill hall new marching orders! Support our plan to rehabilitate the building’s roof and foundation so we can open the doors again as the Rossland Drill Hall Arts & Innovation Centre.

Why vote for us?

The Rossland Arts Centre Society was formed to create a much-needed community space to make, learn, perform and exhibit art in our little mountain town. We’ve adopted this fascinating, shuttered drill hall and over the next few years, we’ll transform it into the Rossland Drill Hall Arts and Innovation Centre. Lots of work needs to be done, and, as a grassroots non-profit, we need your help to open the doors to the public again! With the funds from the Next Great Save competition, we’ll focus on the building’s foundation and roof trusses. In every stage of our renovation, we’ll respect the building’s heritage characteristics while also making it energy efficient and accessible. Help us revive this history-steeped building into a future-focused arts centre! The Rossland drill hall is a building with a story, and we’re ready to write its next chapter!

Community impact

Creativity and innovation are in our nature. As the drill hall’s use has adapted and changed over the last century, so too has the city of Rossland; shifting from a mining town to a ski destination. The renewed Rossland Drill Hall Arts and Innovation Centre will become an important gathering point for the greater Rossland community, and a permanent home for artists, creators, and creative clubs. Imagine a hive buzzing with activity; art classes for all ages, performances, a gallery, tool labs and libraries, shared workspaces, sound studios, and more! This building has always served the community and in its new role, it will be the central heart for the community to grow, collaborate, and enrich the social and cultural life of Rossland. Since 2014, the drill hall has been empty, its future hanging in the balance. This new use as an Arts Centre will up-cycle it into a sustainable, functional space for future generations. Rossland residents have asked for a creative community hub, and it’s time for the drill hall to once again be opened for community use!

About this place

The drill hall has had a dramatic history, and we’ll ensure that continues! Rossland is an historic gold mining town perched high in the Monashee Mountains above the Columbia River in BC’s interior. The hall opened in 1904, shortly after a fierce miners’ strike. It was built as a training facility for the Rocky Mountain Rangers militia, and its presence strengthened Canadian government visibility in the region as American miners and investors flocked to the mines. Rossland’s drill hall is unique because it’s made of local granite and brick — it was built to last. Other regional halls were made of wood, and Rossland’s is the only one left in near original condition. It has maple leaf embossed copper shingles, and some of the original eucalyptus flooring has been preserved. As a military facility, the first generations trained here to protect their city and country. As a recreation facility, the next generations trained to win sports championships – from basketball intra-murals to Olympic medals. As a school, the next generations trained their minds to meet new challenges. Now, as an arts centre, future generations will train as artists and innovators, and build a better world.






Ecclesiastical Insurance is deeply committed to protecting the needs of organizations that enrich the lives of others; to preserving Canada’s distinct communities, cultures and history; and to supporting initiatives that help improve the lives of people in need. The National Trust for Canada has a long-standing relationship with Ecclesiastical Insurance – our most faithful sponsor – and we are excited to work with them to help fund the Next Great Save!

 

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