Heritage sites need long-term funding plan

Re: “Emily Carr House a treasure trove,” Oct. 8.

As site managers for Historic Hat Creek Ranch and Yale Historic Site respectively, we want to applaud the article on another B.C. heritage property, the Emily Carr House and the fine work of site managers, Jan and Michael Ross.

We all operate as provincially owned sites on behalf of the people of B.C. under decades-old contracts. Like our colleagues at Emily Carr House, we endeavour to serve our communities, owners and visitors from elsewhere. We contribute to the economic and cultural life of our province as professional stewards of these significant assets and also as centres of education, employers and resources for telling the stories of our rich and diverse communities.

Currently, we all face challenging times as our contracts come up for renewal. Together with Heritage Branch staff and the ministry, we hope to develop a longrange plan that will focus on sustainability, core operating funds and consultative policy development for our sites.

Without such a plan, we are greatly concerned as to how we will continue to see these invaluable places cared for and remain open as historic, museum-quality sites.

Don Pearse, general manager Historic Hat Creek Ranch

Deb Zervini, general manager Yale Historic Site