West Van’s only performing-arts centre may be closed until mid-August but it’s busy with major renovations.

The Kay Meek Arts Centre has launched a $4 million project to make its facility more accessible for the disabled and improve its stage areas.

It is building a new commercial-sized elevator connecting all three levels of the building; redesigned pathways and lighting outside the building;  a new accessible washroom serving the lower level Studio Theatre; more space for wheelchair seating in the Grosvenor Theatre; improved seating in the Studio Theatre; and state-of-the-art upgrades to the sound and lighting systems.

The Kay Meek Arts Society worked collaboratively with the Rick Hansen Foundation to plan accessibility features.

Today the facility, which hosts everything from jazz concerts to theatre, announced a new $400,000 donation to kickstart the public portion of its capital campaign. PARC Retirement Living was behind the contribution.

Funds raised to date now sit around $2.5 million. In May, the federal government gave the facility $1.48 million toward the project.

Total construction is not expected to be complete until September 2020.

Opened in 2004, the Kay Meek Arts Centre has grown to present more than 300 performances to over 60,000 people every year.