Museum awaits harbour move fate

The Maritime Museum of B.C. could be down its last chance to get into the CPR Steamship Terminal Building any time soon, says the chairman of the museum board.

Clay Evans said museum officials have been asked by the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority, which manages the building, to let it know by Tuesday if there are funds from the provincial government to help with rent.

The Maritime Museum has been seeking a new home since October, when it was told it would have to leave its Bastion Square location due to concerns about the building’s safety.

The museum and harbour authority were previously in talks for about nine months about use of a 6,000-square-foot space in the CPR Steamship Terminal Building. The province and museum discussed rent subsidies, but nothing was agreed upon.

Evans said the harbour authority has been receptive to its expression of interest for the space. “They were saying: ‘That’s great, we’d really like to have you in there, but we feel that it would only be viable with that provincial support for rent.’ ”

Ian Robertson, harbour authority CEO, said there has been a strong response to its call for prospective tenants. “Tuesday is the day that we’re going to consider all the information and make some decisions.”

The TK Foundation has offered the museum a $500,000 grant, but it is contingent on having a long-term lease at the Steamship Terminal.

The museum’s renewed effort to move into the waterfront building coincides with the location of a signed copy of a 1977 agreement between the City of Victoria and the province to secure a home for the museum.

“It is proof that it was completed, that it was signed and the spirit’s there,” Evans said.

The Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services said in a statement that it has a legal opinion saying the terms of that agreement have been “unequivocally” fulfilled.

“The province is interested in ensuring that cultural artifacts of provincial significance are preserved for future generations and the Royal B.C. Museum has been providing advice and support to [the Maritime Museum] related to their collection and relocation plans,” the ministry said. “It is important to recognize that the province is already funding the RBCM with $11.86 million annually to preserve the historical artifacts of the province.”

Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps said the city is working with the province and the Maritime Museum to try to find a solution.

“I think the province has been pretty firm in its position that it feels like it’s done what it needs to for the museum, and certainly it has supported the museum very generously over the years,” she said, noting the city has been giving $20,000 a year to the Maritime Museum.

“I think everyone, and certainly my council, would like to see the museum stay in Victoria and preferably at the Steamship Terminal.”