Museum claims paint prize

There will soon be paint flying at the Glace Bay Heritage Museum in the Old Town Hall.

Thanks to the public response, the museum won the online Para Paints It Forward contest by receiving the most votes.

“We were ahead by about 250 votes,” said Elke Ibrahim, vice chair of the Glace Bay Heritage Museum. “Yes, we are happy.” She said at one point they were tied with another non-profit group.

“When it reached 100 we were both equal then we shot up and left them in the dust.”

She said they have heard from Para Paints and are in the process of filling out the necessary paperwork to claim the prize.

The contest was held in recognition of the 100th anniversary of Para Paints. Cameron's Building Supplies in Glace Bay nominated the museum for the contest.

The competition was broken down into five regions in Canada, with the non-profit organization in each region with the most votes awarded a prize of $2,000 in paint and supplies.

The Glace Bay museum was one of five contenders in the eastern region, which also included three projects on mainland Nova Scotia and one in Fredericton, N.B.

People were permitted to vote once every 24 hours.

“We are so grateful to everyone who participated, locally, provincially and even internationally,” Ibrahim said.

She said the paint and supplies will be used in the basement of the museum.

“In the spring when the weather is better we will also use it for the woodwork on the outside.”

Ibrahim said the basement renovation at the Old Town Hall will begin as soon as the funding is in place, adding they will also be applying for a grant.

She said next year they plan to have the outside entrance to the basement completely restored.