The Boissevain-Morton Arts Council has started their fundraising efforts to repair an aging roof on their downtown building.

"It's still okay but it's the next thing on the list of renovations that needs to happen, and it's one of those things that if we don't get it done over the next couple of years then it's going to start to become a problem," explains committee Chair, Lisa Heide.

The Arts Centre was built in 1910 as Boissevain's Town Hall, which included the Fire Hall, courtroom, jail and civic offices.

Heide says the cost to re-roof the building is substantial, so they'll be applying for grant funding to cover as much of the cost as they're able.

"A lot of the grants we can apply for, we have to have 50% so we're hoping to find ways to chip away at that this year," she adds.

The arts committee will be making 'hockey' buttons for any local teams that want to support the Arts Council, that includes any sports and recreation team ... at $5/button.

As far as any additions to the outdoor art gallery, Heide says they're taking a break this year.  Last year the arts council instigated 3 separate outdoor mural projects; the Boissevain water towers, the town's original telephone/communications building and the golf course.

Heide says this year they will be focusing more on assessing current murals that need to be refreshed, those that have faded and are worn after years of exposure to the elements.  "A lot of them are faded or the surfaces weren't primed properly, but [outdoor art] is not a permanent installation.  They always say, public art is temporary; it's meant to be enjoyed for a while and then repainted over so that there's something new to see."

"We will now be looking at what of the old murals that need to be redone, and looking at which ones are the most important, which business owners want to work with us, and so on.  So, we're in planning-mode for this year," shares Heide.