Heart of the Hub - Phase 2 (Machine Shop)
The Town of Ladysmith is moving forward with long-planned renovations to the Machine Shop, located between the Trans-Canada Highway and Oyster Bay Marina.
When the renovation is complete, the Machine Shop will be the catalyst to revitalization of the upper portions of the waterfront and compliment the Arts and Heritage Hub, including completing the Indigenous Artist Studio in the future.
History
The Machine Shop was once the home of the Comox Logging & Railway Co., who built the facility in 1943 to maintain their vast fleet of locomotives, railcars and other equipment in order to support their operations in the region.
Most recently the building was the base of operations for Ladysmith's Arts and Culture sector including the well-known Waterfront Gallery as well as home to some local artists.
Project Background
The Machine Shop, located at the heart of the Arts and Heritage Hub, is a key component of the revitalization of Ladysmith's waterfront.
While the building has undergone extensive seismic and structural upgrades, additional work is needed to fully reactivate this important cultural space. Once renovations are complete, the Machine Shop will be a catalyst for revitalizing the upper waterfront and complement the Arts and Heritage Hub (entire site including the Loci and Car Shops) and in the future completion of an Indigenous Artist Studio.
Before the Machine Shop's closure due to health and safety concerns, it was a vibrant, busy facility used by volunteers for staging festivals and events, including painting banners and signs, organizing supplies, and planning community activities. For many, the building and its associated activities provided a sense of purpose.
The aim of the Heart of the Hub is to create conditions necessary for artists to create meaningful artistic work, experiences and relationships within the Ladysmith community. The proposed project will provide places for social interaction, teaching, diversity of activities, flexibility of uses and learning about the history of this iconic building.
Scope of Outcomes
- Re-activation of two artist studios (699 sq. ft. and 460 sq. ft.)
- 205-foot walkway
- Indoor display space
- 600 sq. ft. artist teaching space
- 400 sq. ft. community meeting space for arts, culture, and heritage groups
- Access to 4,600 sq. ft. of remaining space, bringing the total community indoor space to approximately 17,800 sq. ft.
Community Benefits
Exciting Progress for Arts and Culture in Ladysmith
The Town of Ladysmith Council has recently entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Arts Council of Ladysmith and District to support their return to the historic Machine Shop. This milestone marks an important step in reactivating one of our community’s most significant cultural and heritage landmarks—a space that has long been a hub for creativity and connection.
Adding to this momentum, we’ve seen growing interest from local artists in the two dedicated studio spaces within the Machine Shop. This enthusiasm reflects the vibrant arts community in Ladysmith and the potential for these studios to become dynamic spaces for collaboration, innovation, and cultural expression.
Together, these developments signal a bright future for arts and heritage in our town, reinforcing our commitment to fostering creativity and celebrating the unique character of Ladysmith.
The project directly supports Ladysmith’s vibrant arts, culture, heritage, and tourism sectors, which are central to the community’s well-being and quality of life. It fulfills a key goal of the Waterfront Area Plan and the shared vision developed by the residents of Ladysmith and Stz’uminus First Nation. Reactivating the Machine Shop will allow the community to increase the scale and frequency of cultural events, benefiting both residents and the hundreds of volunteers who support these activities.
The visual art studios will provide safe, high-quality workspaces for both Ladysmith and Stz’uminus artists.
Arts, culture, and heritage are integral to Ladysmith’s identity, its past and way of life. There is tremendous value in the work completed to date, and the insights gained through this process will be incorporated into the reactivation of the Machine Shop.
Summary of Outcomes
- Reactivate the "Heart of the Hub"
- Provide access to local arts & cultural organizations for teaching, gallery, and networking space
- Increase available community meeting and teaching spaces
- Support non-profit organizations and Indigenous artists through access to space
Project Updates
2025-12-11 Work on the Machine Shop is quickly nearing completion. Exterior upgrades are underway, including new doors and siding. The addition of these doors will bring a fresh, welcoming look to the historic building while preserving its defining architectural features.
Inside, heating and cooling systems are being installed to improve energy efficiency, alongside major electrical upgrades. While the building will have a renewed appearance, its rich history will remain front and center through interior displays featuring photos and stories that celebrate its past.
Public Meeting Space 
Main Foyer2025-09-09 Work continues at a steady pace on the Machine Shop, with the site buzzing with activity. The exterior painting is nearing completion, already bringing a fresh and revitalized look to the building's façade.
With the new sanitary line now fully installed, crews are preparing to begin construction of the main boardwalk stairway, which will span the length of the building. This feature will include three sets of stairs, enhancing access and circulation along the boardwalk.
On the east end of the building, faux doors have been completed. These architectural elements are designed to honor the building’s historic character, replicating the look of the original large sliding doors that once allowed heavy machinery and trains to pass through the space.
Inside, drywall installation is underway, alongside ongoing progress on mechanical and electrical systems. The interior is steadily taking shape, marking another key step in the transformation of this iconic space.
2025-06-19 - Work on the project is progressing steadily across multiple areas. Window remediation is underway, with work ongoing on both the front and rear windows. The faux barn doors have been fully installed. Interior and exterior framing is nearing completion, and significant progress has been made on the concrete boardwalk, with stair forming and pouring currently in progress. Electrical work is advancing, including demolition and wall sheeting in the electrical room. HVAC rough-ins have begun, and layout work is in progress. Sanitary system installation and under-slab testing are ongoing. Upcoming work includes field measuring, fabrication, and installation of the sanitary main following the completion of the boardwalk stairs, railing installation on the boardwalk, and continued electrical wall rough-ins.
2025-05-23 - Council had the opportunity to visit the Machine Shop and try out the new walkway. The tour highlighted the proposed program spaces and the two new accessible washrooms that are part of the project.
2025-05-20 - Work on the walkway is progressing, with the deck concrete now complete. The concrete will soon be sealed, and the front stairways are currently being formed and will be poured in the coming weeks. Railings are being fabricated and will serve as the final touch to the walkway.
Once this phase is complete, the crew will be able to begin work on the exterior front of the building.
Additionally, work has started on the faux doors that represent the large wooden doors originally located at the north and south ends of the building. These elements are key historical features that will help convey the story of the building’s industrial past.
2025-04-01 - Work continues to progress on the project. Interior framing is nearing completion and the boardwalk about 75% complete. Upcoming work will include the framing for the faux doors (historical characteristic of the building), replacement and refurbishment of the existing windows and preparing for the slab completing the walkway.
2025-03-03 - Work has officially begun on the exterior of the Machine Shop. Crews are currently preparing the footings for a new boardwalk that will stretch the length of the building, extending to the area in front of the old washroom building. The boardwalk will be fully accessible, marking a key step in completing the building's exterior renovations.
2024-12-15 - The framing for the new classroom and meeting space on the upper level is complete. The team is now finalizing the electrical and mechanical plans, which include energy-efficient lighting, a new HVAC system for better climate control, and wiring to support technology like displays and the emergency systems. 
Class Room and Board Room Walls
Photos
Project Updates
Who's Listening
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CB