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 in the future, completing the Indigenous Artist Studio.

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, including the future completion of the 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.

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

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 former non-profit tenants of the Machine Shop will also have the opportunity to access spaces and potentially expand their community volunteer programs.

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 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