The Britannia Community Services Centre is campaigning for city funds to build a new $18.3-million arts centre with two micro theatres, studio spaces, and an art gallery.

“When you look at the makeup of Grandview-Woodlands and Strathcona, the two communities have more artists per capita than anywhere else in Canada,” the community centre’s executive director, Enzo Guerriero, told the Straight. “When you look at the creativity that is in the area, the Drive and Strathcona, this really enhances what’s already in the community and builds on it.”

Guerriero said he hoped to put the expansion of the community centre on the November civic ballot as a capital project, and that he had presented his plans to mayoral hopefuls Raymond Louie, Gregor Robertson, Allan De Genova, and Peter Ladner at a March 29 meeting.

In a call with the Straight, Ladner said he liked the idea, but noted that the centre would have to contend with other city projects for funding. “I am supportive of it, but I don’t know what else is in the lineup for the capital plan,” he said.