Land + a plan + plants = Action!

Over the years the Quail’s Nest Arts Centre has had several major upgrades: insulated bay doors, new lighting, kitchen cabinetry, an accessible washroom, and several coats of paint applied to the smaller Studio Building. Most recently, radiant heat was installed in the Big Blue Building, home of SOAP Theatre. Now it’s time for a facelift outside.

Beginning last spring, a landscape committee has been tasked with planning for driveway signage and xeriscaped beds along the street frontage. On the planning team are four OCAC Board members: Caroline Whyte (landscape designer), Janet Bednarczyk, Bertie Barens, and Penelope Johnson. They have given careful consideration to the placement and illumination of a sign (to identify the property to traffic), and the colourful plants and hardscaping that will reflect elements of the arts council logo.

Plants will include the grasses: feather reeds and blue oat grass, flowers such as day lilies, salvia, iris, and succulents and cacti like hens and chicks and prickly pear. Drought-tolerant shrubs and trees have been selected with care. The committee selected slow-growing, weeping, or dwarf varieties: barberries, potentilla, kinnickkinnick, oregon grape, evergreen shrubs (juniper, spruce and pine) and deciduous maple and dogwood.

A “Quail’s Nest Arts Centre” sign will be illuminated with solar lighting. The design also includes the physical address, the quail logo, and the arts council name. It will be placed parallel to the south side of the driveway, visible from both traffic directions.

The landscape committee now seeks a team of “hardy perennials” to help install a beautiful new garden in front of the Quail’s Nest Arts Centre. Landscape plan posted on our website. We already have machinery + labour for the major prep work and for installing the new sign. The committee needs many willing hands to assist them with: laying landscape fabric, mulch, and plantings. We also need a few trailers and trucks for a short haul of gravel and river rock. The garden will be installed mid-May to mid-June. Dates & times are flexible — determined by the team. Come learn some great landscaping tips, as well as socializing, and yes, some exercise!

Contact OliverCAC@gmail.com to join in! We’ll schedule specific dates with the whole landscaping crew.