Work resumes at museum
Overhaul to reception area part of phase two upgrades
The second phase of repairs to the Cape Breton Miners’ Museum got underway Thursday.
“It’s really good seeing this work being done,” said Mary Pat Mombourquette, executive director of the museum. “It’s like a breath of life is coming into
this museum. It’s really wonderful.”
In 2016, a building assessment by Michael MacDonald Architectural Concepts identified the scope of the work needed to the now 51-year-old building which was facing leakage, ventilation, energy efficiency and architectural issues.
In January 2017, the three levels of government announced $1.5 million for much-needed repairs including $538,000 from the federal government, $537,500 from the province and $487,500 from the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. The funding is being used for a new roof, doors, windows, lighting, brick walls and ventilation systems.
The project will also include a planning study for interactive and interior spaces, which will address the need to incorporate enhanced electronic displays.
Mombourquette said the building audit placed the issues into must do, should do and could do categories. The must do list was completed at the end of June and included emergency repairs to the tower along with fixing leaks and energy upgrades. As well Mombourquette said architectural and engineering work was completed. The work was halted in July for the tourist season.
On Thursday, work began on the should do and could do lists.
“It’s the stuff that wasn’t quite an emergency but if we don’t do it would become an emergency,” she said.
The first order of business is a major overhaul to the reception area.
“We’re trying to make the reception area better for the visitor experience. There will be more light, all of that sort of thing.”
The museum is closed for the winter and will reopen May 27. Once again the work will be halted during the tourist season.
“Last year we worked right through June because we’re not as busy in June as we are in July. Then we stopped through July and August. We haven’t sat down yet to look at the work plan but that’s my assumption for this year as well.”
Mombourquette said the project is on a three-year timeline with completion set for December 2019.
“We have to see where we get to this year before the tourist season and then sort of reassess,” to determine the work which will be incorporated into the third phase of the project.
In 2014, the Miners Village homes, which depict a miner’s life in 1850, were restored.
Last year the museum drew more than 16,000 visitors.