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
April 11, 2026
We did it! The Machine Shop is finally unveiled.
Mayor Deena Beeston along with Stephanie Higginson (Ladysmith–Oceanside MLA) and Rob Douglas (Island Coastal Economic Trust Board Chair & Mayor of North Cowichan) officially reopened the Machine Shop at a ceremony on Friday, April 10, marking the completion of Heart of the Hub – Phase 2.
This phase of the Ladysmith Arts and Heritage Hub plan, called Heart of the Hub – Phase 2, was completed at a total cost of over $4,289,809 with $1,837,500 contributed by the Government of Canada and $1,470,000 by the Province of British Columbia through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program – Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure. In addition, $299,200 was provided by Island Coastal Economic Trust. The remaining amount was covered by the Town of Ladysmith.
The Town has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Arts Council of Ladysmith and District, who operated the Waterfront Art Gallery, to help support their return to the building.
We look forward to seeing this historic space activated and used by the community in the near future.
April 2, 2026
The Machine Shop (Heart of the Hub) Phase 2 project is nearing completion, with the majority of exterior and interior construction work now finished.
Asphalt installation and all external railings are complete. Installation of mechanical metal shutters on the west-facing windows is underway, providing protective functionality for the building. With interior electrical work nearing completion, the project is approaching full completion of all interior work.
A public ceremony will be held on April 10 at 11:00 am to celebrate the completion of Phase 2.
March 13, 2026
The Machine Shop project is now only weeks away from completion, with substantial progress made both on the building exterior and the interior spaces. Major accessibility upgrades have been incorporated throughout the site, ensuring barrier‑free movement at all primary entry points and across the full ground level.
Exterior features, most notably the amphitheater and boardwalk railing systems—are nearing completion and will significantly enhance the usability and safety of the outdoor gathering areas. Interior work is in its final stages, with electrical nearing completion, accessible washrooms fully finished, and flooring now installed.
The project remains on track for the Ribbon Cutting event on Friday, April 10, followed by a public open house to welcome the community into the renewed facility.
January 22, 2026
The Town will be holding a public naming contest for two new rooms in the Machine Shop, part of the Arts and Heritage Hub at Ladysmith’s waterfront. The rooms—a multipurpose space and a meeting room—will be available for public rentals and will host arts, cultural, and community programs, including workshops, gatherings, and creative activities throughout the year.
Submissions will be accepted from January 26 until 4:00 pm on February 9 via email to info@ladysmith.ca. Following the submission period, five finalist names per room will be shared for public voting from February 11–27 on Let’s Talk Ladysmith. Winners will receive a 10-visit pass to the Frank Jameson Community Centre, and all participants will be entered into a separate prize draw. Winning names and prize winners will be announced on March 2.
January 13, 2026
Work on the Machine Shop renovation continues to advance well, with the majority of major building systems and finishes nearing completion.
On the exterior, window remediation is complete, metal siding is approximately 75% finished, and downspout installation has been completed. Boardwalk concrete and stairs are finished, with railings fabricated and scheduled for installation in February. Exterior painting is roughly 90% complete, with minor touch‑ups ongoing. Storefront doors are installed, with door hardware currently underway. Upcoming exterior work includes amphitheatre stairs, planter installations at the boardwalk, and final finishing around power line areas.
On the interior, HVAC installation is approximately 85% complete and is expected to be finished by January 23, 2026. Electrical work is about 70% complete, with work ongoing in the electrical room and fixture installation to follow. Drywall is 95% complete, with repairs and touch‑ups in progress. Interior painting is approximately 85% complete, with remaining areas to be finished following ducting installation. Wall tile installation is 80% complete and anticipated to finish by February 23, 2026. Stairwell nosings are complete. Upcoming interior work includes flooring, millwork, plumbing fixtures, and final finishing elements such as feature walls, tactile surfaces at landings, and handrails.
Overall, the project remains in its final construction phase, with finishing work and installations continuing over the coming weeks.
December 11, 2025
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 Foyer September 9, 2025
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.
June 19, 2025
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.
May 23, 2025
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.
May 20, 2025
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.
April 2, 2025
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.
March 3, 2025
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.
December 15, 2024
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
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