A federal grant application for Niagara Falls' upcoming culture hub and market hall could foot nearly half the project's $12.5-million cost.

That's the "best case scenario," says Clark Bernat, the city's culture and museums manager regarding a proposal sent to the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund in June.

If approved, the grant would cover $6,198,494 - about 49.5 per cent of the project's total budget.

While there are other grant possibilities available, Bernat says none would provide such a large boost.

"This was the one that we certainly focused on and put most of our energy into," he says.

Established in 2017, the fund supports renovation and construction costs for arts, heritage, culture and creative projects. It is part of a $300-million commitment by the government to support creative hubs and other cultural spaces over the next decade.

It doles out $54 million in grants and contributions each year.

To improve its chances, city staff met with Heritage Canada to discuss the application, says Bernat. From that meeting came a request to ensure the city will finance the project if the full grant request is not approved.

City council passed the request at Tuesday's council meeting.

Bernat expects a reply to the proposal by December. If approved, it would be the first Niagara project the initiative has funded.

"We think there's a good possibility," he says. "We're being optimistic with our conversations with them."

"They are looking to help nurture the creative economy and foster support within cultural assets. They see these shared spaces, these incubator spaces, are beneficial for both communities and individual artists."

The city's culture hub and market hall will replace Sylvia Place Farmer's Market, located behind Niagara Falls History Museum on Ferry Street. It will feature spacious indoor and outdoor display areas, a caf�, studio space and room for temporary and permanent art exhibits.

The space will also be the new home of the Niagara Falls Arts and Culture Wall of Fame, which is temporarily on display at the Victoria Avenue library.

Bernat says there are other federal infrastructure programs the city can pursue, along with environmental-related grants the building may qualify for.

"We are looking at making this a very energy-efficient facility, so there are some funds we're going after for that side of things."

John.Law@niagaradailies.com

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