qathet Regional District will consider joining a partnership to look into establishing a new museum.
At the May 28 committee of the whole meeting, directors reviewed correspondence from qathet Museum and Archives Society president George Wall, asking the regional district to join with the museum in partnership with Tla’amin Nation and City of Powell River to examine building a new facility to properly house, exhibit and streamline museum services.
Electoral Area A director Jason Lennox said the correspondence was asking the board to supply a director to act as a liaison.
Wall, in attendance at the committee meeting, said the museum had held discussions with Tla’amin about the opportunity for establishing a new museum.
“We are moving that process along now,” said Wall. “We already have someone from city council that has been appointed to our project development committee. We have lots of experience and lots of other players that know how to get things done.”
Wall said the request was not a financial ask. He said the museum was looking at a $12 million project and would be looking for grant funding.
Corporate officer Michelle Jones said the committee could make a recommendation to the regional board to participate in the project and appoint a member as a liaison. Lennox said he was interested in serving in the role. Electoral Area B director Mark Gisborne also indicated he would be interested.
Electoral Area D director and committee chair Sandy McCormick said the committee had to consider if the regional district wants to participate in the project.
“Do we really have enough information to know what all that entails or what commitments will be expected of us down the road if we agree at this point?” asked McCormick.
She asked Wall if it was anticipated that the regional district is making a full commitment to the project by appointing someone, or was the regional district just making a commitment to appoint somebody.
Wall said the regional district would be making a commitment to appoint somebody, and then any further asks of the regional district would involve a further presentation from the museum.
“If, going forward, we roll into money, then there would be more involvement with the regional district,” said Wall. “Right now, we just need to say we corresponded with you, you indicate yes or no, then we move forward. The time commitment is low. It will be once a month.”
Jones said the request was to join a partnership and there was no financial commitment.
City director Cindy Elliott said she was in favour of the regional district participating, and that she didn’t see any risk. She said Lennox and Gisborne could perhaps provide a small speech and a vote could be taken at the next committee of the whole meeting. Jones recommended forwarding it to a regional board meeting for consideration.
The committee voted to forward the matter to the June regional board meeting.
In his correspondence, Wall stated there are infrastructure grants available to museums and First Nations that could contribute to construction of a new museum facility.
“We would like to apply,” stated Wall.
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