The Yukon Arts Centre recently announced the opening of the Old Fire Hall as a cultural venue on the downtown waterfront.

The former fire hall most recently housed the Canada Winter Games Host Society. It will be used as a space for a wide variety of cultural activities and events in an attempt to bring local and visiting public to the downtown core.

The pilot project was launched last Friday afternoon and will run through Sept. 17, at which point the project will be reviewed and assessed, with the possibility of it continuing in the future.

The project was organized through a partnership among the Yukon government, the arts centre and the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce.

The government is leasing the building to the chamber, which is working with the arts centre to sublet the space over the next few months.

'Without this partnership, this would have never happened,' said Tourism and Culture Minister Elaine Taylor.

'I'm really excited about this particular project. I think it's a very creative one, and we certainly look forward to the outcome of the project. Then we'll see what will become of this particular building and other buildings along the waterfront.'

'This pilot project is part of the process which shows how much we can achieve when we work together,' said Erik Hoenisch, the chamber's vice-chair.

The Old Fire Hall will hold cultural presentations, performances, conferences, and markets, to name a few types of events.

'This space will be a container for the dreams of the talented folks of Whitehorse,' said Patrick Matheson, the arts centre fire hall project manager. 'It's a place where you can dance, you can play music, you can have a market fair, and you can have conferences.

'There are so many great craftsmen, artists, and performers, as well as the dynamic individuals from the local businesses which make up the downtown area. People can come here to create and explore and expand, and not just the people of Whitehorse but tourists as well.'

Matheson is optimistic the Old Fire Hall will continue on as a cultural venue after September.

'We're kind of testing the waters over the next few months and then we'll go from there.'

Matt Poushinski and Kristina Mercs are the fire hall operation co-ordinators, and said the space already has a number of bookings.

Mercs said they have had interest in using the space for wedding receptions, concerts for local bands and dances, and a practice space for musicians warming up for the summer festivals.

'We're hoping that this can be a real hub, a little spot of cultural energy,' Poushinski said.

The outdoor courtyard area can also be used by food vendors during trade shows.

Depending on the event, the Old Fire Hall has a maximum capacity of 300 people, and fills the role of an intermediate space which Whitehorse has not previously had.

Mercs added there has been some sensitivity regarding sound bylaws, but having lots of people in the building will help absorb sound.

The Old Fire Hall was constructed in 1901. The firefighting apparatus the building was equipped with was not sufficient, and in 1905, firefighters weren't able to prevent a fire which burned down the neighbouring train depot and two surrounding blocks of buildings.

Most of the original fire hall was destroyed in another fire in 1935.

Those interested in booking the hall can call 334-4255 (HALL) or 668-3473 (FIRE).