Salishan Place by the River Gathering
January 18, 2022
Salishan Place by the River, the Township of Langley’s new arts, culture, and heritage facility is now under construction in Fort Langley. Prior to the start of excavation activities, Township staff gathered with Indigenous community partners to connect with the land, the ancestors, and one another, to celebrate the development of this collaborative cultural centre.
Representatives from the q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen) and Máthekwi (Matsqui) First Nations came together in small groups to share a few songs and words about Salishan Place. Representatives from q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie) and se’mya’me (Semiahmoo) First Nations were unable to join us in person; they were with us in our hearts and in our minds.
Salishan Place construction is generously funded through the British Columbia Arts Council Infrastructure program, the BC Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure program and the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund.
Construction Progress
November 4, 2021
The new Langley museum and cultural centre, Salishan Place by the River, has seen some rapid construction progress over the last couple of weeks. Pre-fabricated pieces of the building have been trucked in and erected with a large crane, creating some of the exterior walls, underground parking level and first floor of this exciting new venue. Every week the site, located at the corner of Mavis Avenue and King Street, is seeing major changes as the building takes shape and moves towards the anticipated opening in 2023.
Salishan Place by the River Construction Update
August 6, 2021
Construction for the Township’s new arts, culture, and heritage centre in Fort Langley is underway. During the months of April, May, June, and July, site preparation work took place for the development of Salishan Place by the River. Specifically, existing homes on the site were deconstructed and their materials were recycled, archaeological investigation and monitoring was conducted, the building’s footprint was surveyed and marked, the existing vegetation was cleared, and excavations began for the building’s footings and parkade. Three trees that were within the footprint of the new building were cut down. Their logs have been retained for local Indigenous carvers to turn into house posts; these posts will be displayed at the new centre. A section of a fourth tree will be used by a local carpenter to build furniture for Salishan Place.
Prior to the start of construction, ACCI staff gathered on site with representatives from the land-based q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen), Máthekwi (Matsqui), and se’mya’me (Semiahmoo) First Nations communities on whose traditional territories the Township was established in 1873. Together we shared songs, prayers, and words to acknowledge and prepare the land, the ancestors, and ourselves for the upcoming construction-related changes. A video of this gathering is currently in production.
This summer, the ACCI team will be working closely with our community partners and supporters to vision the interior and exterior spaces at Salishan Place. Discussions will include exhibit and program themes and topics, gallery and classroom layouts, and technological applications to enhance visitor/learner experiences. Stay tuned to museum.tol.ca as we move forward with this exciting project!
$3 Million For New Museum and Cultural Complex in Fort Langley
The Township of Langley is very pleased to receive $3 million from the Government of Canada in support of a new 36,000-square-foot cultural centre and museum complex in Fort Langley. View the floor plans here.
New Museum and Cultural Complex
Salishan Place, will feature Indigenous and community galleries, program spaces, community archives, a reception hall, a 167-seat theatre, and the Fort Langley Community Library.
The new complex is being developed in collaboration with Katzie, Kwantlen, Matsqui, and Semiahmoo First Nations. Get the details at https://bit.ly/2k5DJoE.
Click here to make a donation to Salishan Place. Your donation will make a lasting impact on arts and culture initiatives within the Township of Langley. All donations of $25 or more will receive a tax receipt.