qathet Museum and Archives Society is requesting that City of Powell River join in a partnership to seek funding for a new museum facility.
At the May 6 committee of the whole meeting, councillors reviewed correspondence from society president George Wall, which indicated the museum is in the early planning stages for a development project involving consolidation into a single, purpose-built facility. He stated that qathet Regional District and the city already contribute to the museum, for which the society is grateful.
“We are in need of a new facility to properly house, exhibit and streamline museum services,” Wall stated in his correspondence. “We are asking that you join us in a partnership, including the museum, Tla’amin Nation, qathet Regional District and City of Powell River to jointly seek funding for the project.”
Wall stated that if the city agrees to become a partner in the project, that it can appoint a member of council to act as a liaison to the development committee.
Wall, in attendance at the committee meeting, said the museum reached out to Tla’amin as an early partner in this project because the nation would benefit from a space to tell its story well.
“We have sent letters to both the regional district and city council to ask for liaisons,” said Wall. “The project management committee is meeting, on average, once a month.”
As well as Tla’amin and museum representatives, a consultant is participating.
“We are just exploring the options of what a new museum project looks like,” said Wall. “It’s very preliminary and very early, but it would be nice to have all the interested parties be notified and have the opportunity to join our project management committee before we put out a press release.”
City councillor George Doubt said he would be willing to serve as a liaison to the museum committee. The committee voted unanimously to appoint Doubt.
According to Wall’s correspondence, the museum is housed in aging infrastructure that is approaching the end of its lifecycle. He stated that services are split between three inadequate, aging facilities, and that all three buildings lack access for disabled persons.
“A purpose-built facility would allow the museum to consolidate staff and services in a single building and provide access for persons of all abilities,” stated Wall.
He added that there are infrastructure grants available to museums and First Nations that could contribute to the construction of a new facility.
Join the Peak's email list for the top headlines right in your inbox Monday to Friday.
