One of the Maritimes’ top tourist attractions is trying to dig itself out of some trouble.
The Cape Breton Miners’ Museum has sustained heavy structural damage.
“Our tower ceiling, which is the floor of the tower, has collapsed,” says Mary Pat Mombourquette, the museum’s executive director. “Due to the condensation and leaking water comes in, and it actually turns into a shower.”
Other sections of ceiling have heavy water damage.
Mombourquette says most of the museum’s doors and windows have corroded. There are also serious ventilation issues that have snowballed over time.
“The mine collects a lot of surface water,” she says. “Then that surface water hangs in the air of the museum. So we’ve got dead air and moisture – two things that are not really good for a museum.”
The museum is asking for one million dollars to be cost-shared among all three levels of government.
They say the request makes sense, given that approximately 14,000 people tour the museum each year.
“Of those 14,000 people, between 80 and 90 per cent are visitors,” says Mombourquette. “Obviously, visitors love coming to the miner’s museum. So it’s a good investment.”
The damage was recently assessed by the mayor and other municipal officials.
The area’s councillor says there is a strong chance the museum will receive municipal funding, but it’s contingent on the museum’s formal presentation to council.
As for federal funding, he says an application would have to be made through ACOA.
“I’m very optimistic,” says Mombourquette. “I think we have the numbers to prove that we’re a good investment.
Museum officials are also planning a fundraiser in the community.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Ryan MacDonald.
