Final numbers for the outside restoration of Grand Forks Gallery 2 came in slightly over budget.
Director-curator Tim van Wijk told city council last week he’s happy the $425,000 project was over by only $999.
“While the project did come in slightly over we are able to absorb that into our operational costs so we are not requesting more money for the finishing of the project. It’s done and dusted,” van Wijk said.
In a June interview with Vista Radio, van Wijk said the gallery would “absolutely not” ask for more money after city council agreed to spend an extra $67,000 on masonry repairs.
He told council last week they’ve had “really good response” with the look of the building.
Gallery 2 was able to keep some costs down, like the scaffolding rental, because the work got done a month earlier than planned.
Coun. Christine Thompson is pleased with the results, which included window refinishing, storm windows for the stained glass, masonry cleaning and repairs.
“The gallery looks fantastic, just beautiful. And to come in $999 over budget is just phenomenal,” Thompson remarked.
The before and after pictures show the need for this exterior work to be done every 40 years, van Wijk added.
The project was highlighted as the gallery asked for $154,000 in operational funding for 2023, the same as it’s received in 2022 and 2021.
There is also a request for $8,000 for flow-through civic arts grants (the same amount as 2021 and 2022) that the gallery administers on behalf of the city.