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Sarnia, ON – While work has been moving ahead behind the scenes on the new art gallery, pedestrians and motorists will notice the first signs of change to the exterior of the former Sak's and John Howard Society buildings in Downtown Sarnia this week.
"Contractors will begin installing construction fencing around the new art gallery on Wednesday which will provide safety for passing pedestrians and allow extra space for the construction materials that will be required on-site," said Dereck Holmes, Project Coordinator. "Pedestrians will be permitted access to the sidewalk on the west side of Christina Street; however, a portion of the sidewalk on the south side of Lochiel Street will be closed and the parking spaces will also be inaccessible."
A scissor lift will also be on-site behind the construction fencing which will allow specialists to examine the condition of the existing brick on the entire building.
"While specialists have examined the brick on the lower portions of the building, we need to also access the higher levels of the building to determine the brick's strength and permeability," said Holmes. "These examinations will allow us to decide whether it is appropriate to retain the existing brick."
The installation of both construction fencing and pedestrian walkways should be complete in one-day, and during the week of March 15th, young artists will put their own touches on the fencing.
"A group of young people from Gallery Lambton's RAAW studio program are working together with Funktion Gallery of Toronto to create graffiti murals on plywood that will be incorporated into the fencing," said Lisa Daniels, Curator, Gallery Lambton. "Over the next few weeks those passing by will see a transformation as the fencing moves to display the artistic expression of our community's young people."
In the coming weeks a construction schedule will be finalized and it is anticipated that work will first begin on the John Howard Society Building.
For more information about Lambton County, visit www.lambtononline.ca.
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For Inquiries related to construction / fencing:
John Innes
General Manager, Financial Services
County of Lambton
Telephone: 519 845-0801
email: john.innes@county-lambton.on.ca
For Inquiries related to graffiti art:
Lisa Daniels
Curator, Gallery Lambton
County of Lambton
Telephone: 519 336-8127
email: lisa.daniels@county-lambton.on.ca
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