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UPDATE: November 22, 2012 -- Update on Museum Renovations and Fund Raising

In December, the Winnipegosis Historical Society (WHS) will be moving ahead with electrical work on the museum building. This includes a complete re-wiring of the building and the connection of sump pumps in the foundation. Once this work has been completed, we will be able to apply for an occupancy permit from the Fire Commissionaires Office.

Now that Phase 1 is complete, we are moving on to Phase 2. During this phase all exterior work will be completed. Work on Phase 2 will begin in the Spring of 2013 and will see the foundation parged, ventilation completed, repair or replacement of window casements and doors, fascia boards and eaves troughs, minor roof repairs, 3 outside support beams, new board walk with ramp, paper, wire and re-stucco of the entire building, replacement of wood trim, back-fill of the entire site, and other drainage related issues.

In August, we began to identify funding sources and and apply for funding for Phase 2. The total cost for Phase 2 has been pegged at $73,000, plus a $10,000 contingency fund. An application was made to the Federal Infrastructure Community Grant and we have been awarded a grant for $40,300. In December, we will be applying to Manitoba Community Places Grant for $25,000 and WHS will have to contribute the remaining costs.

If all goes well, WHS and our volunteers and summer students will be able to plaster and paint the interior of the building in the Spring of 2013. After that, we can begin moving our artifacts back into the building. The curator has been planning new exhibits --- a process that will take some time to complete. WHS had originally anticipated that we would have the museum ready for visitors by 2014. It looks like we are on track to do that. Once all this work has been completed, we will be able to start looking at landscaping, benches, trees and flowers on the site.

Thanks to everyone who has made donations to the WHS renovation fund. If you haven't yet donated to this project, please consider making a donation before the end of this tax year. We will be happy to send you a tax-receipt and we will include your name on the donors’ wall plaque.

When the Museum is re-opened we will be erecting a permanent plaque inside the Museum, including the names of all donors, in the following catogories:

Parkland Donors --- [donations $2,500 and over]

Lake Winnipegosis Supporters ---[donations from $500 to $2,499]

Mossey River Friends --- [donation from $50 to $499]

All donations over $20 will receive a tax-deducible receipt.