Sudbury commits staff to help find new home for art gallery

The Sudbury Art Gallery's search for a spot in to build a new $25 million tourist attraction is stalled.

Director Karen Tait-Peacock has been saying for years that the gallery needs to move out of the century-old Bell Mansion into a new downtown location.

"We are not, at this point, good stewards and good caretakers of that heritage for our city," she said.

At its Tuesday night meeting, city council voted to have staff help the art gallery with its hunt for a new home.

Coun. Jacques Barbeau, who sits on the art gallery's board, said he doesn't believe there is a shortage of land in downtown Sudbury, but expects city staff will help open doors as the gallery searches for a new location.

"It's not quite as easy as you might think," he said. "We want to make sure we get it right."

Meanwhile, several city councillors suggested that maybe the new gallery should be built in another part of Greater Sudbury.