The Boundary Museum Society has asked the City of Grand Forks for operating funds to continue providing services to the community.
Bob DeMaertelaere, secretary for the Boundary Museum Society, explained that the request is an annual application for funding and to be added back as a line item on the budget for next year.
“The funds are used to operate the museum at the Fructova Heritage Site and the archives downtown, plus we also look after the outdoor displays in Gyro Park and we also operate the (Boundary Woodworker’s Guild) workshop,” he said. “We have to pay for the power, heating and electricity at Fructova and other expenses, and it’s used to pay wages. We have one full-time, one part-time, one seasonal and the rest is dependent on summer students to operate.”
The BMS was previously listed as a line item on the budget and automatically received funding every year. At the time, the museum society also received funding from the Arts Council of British Columbia.
“But when we tore the old museum down, we lost our funding because we didn’t have an address,” said DeMaertelaere. “We’re just in the process of going through that process again and that takes around three years to get back onto regular funding. What we’re hoping is that the city will put us back as a line item so we don’t have to come back every year and apply for core funding.”
BMS also receives funding support from the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary Area C and D, after a referendum that was held several years ago asking to maintain museum services.
DeMaertelaere pointed out that finding grant money for projects is easier to do and something the museum society has counted on for the past several years. Finding funding for day-to-day grants for operating costs; however, is not possible.
The funding would provide the city with all services related to a museum, including the operation of the community archival service at Grand Forks City Hall, and restoration work being done on the community artifact collection will be continued and expanded.
As such, there would be no further costs to the City of Grand Forks for repairs, maintenance, grounds keeping, insurance, security, snow removal, garbage and utilities.
“I hope we get the funding to carry on,” DeMaertelaere concluded. “We’re trying to be as cost-efficient and cost-effective as possible and to continue serving the community.”
Coun. Bob Kendel, city liaison to the BMS, noted that the final decision is up to city council.
“They have asked for funding in the past and the city has supported them,” Kendel said. “They are asking to be entered into the budget and that’s ultimately up to city council to decide. A lot of other groups are also asking for a budget from the city, and everybody has the right to come forward to ask for funding.”
For more information, visit boundarymuseum.com.