The fate of the Maritime Museum of sa国际传媒 hangs in the balance 鈥� again. The uncertainty has dragged on far too long, and we have to find a way to save the museum.
The museum, the city, the province and the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority have been wrestling unsuccessfully with the problem of finding a home for the 60-year-old institution. They must not give up, because losing the museum and its collection would be a huge blow to Victoria.
On Oct. 21, the MMBC moved out of its longtime site in the old courthouse in Bastion Square because the province said there were safety concerns in the building. Hope appeared in the form of the CPR Steamship Terminal on the Inner Harbour, which the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority has restored to something like its former glory.
Museum officials were negotiating to lease 6,000 square feet on the lower level of the terminal building, which would include access to waterfront, an important feature for a maritime museum. Additional space off-site would store much of the collection.
With all the difficulties that have beset the MMBC over the years, it was not surprising to learn this week that negotiations over the lease have ground to a halt and the harbour authority is looking for a different tenant.
It鈥檚 hard to fault the harbour authority, which has to run its many properties on a sound financial footing. It can鈥檛 afford to have that valuable space sitting unused. The province owns the building, and is owed millions of dollars in rent over the next 20 years, so the authority must cover those costs, even though it鈥檚 not trying to make a profit from the MMBC.
Empty space means not only forgone revenue, but is also a drag on a building that needs vibrant activity to attract more visitors. As well, while the museum is closed, the province is shelling out $10,000 a month for staff and for storage of artifacts.
Museum CEO Clay Evans struck a hopeful note: 鈥淲e鈥檝e been around for over 60 years and we鈥檒l regroup and refocus.鈥� However, the range of options is so narrow that sharing his hopefulness is difficult.
One option Evans raised was moving the museum to another city. While that would be a loss for Victoria, it has to be a consideration if the only other possibility is to shutter the MMBC for good.
Still, it鈥檚 too soon to give up.
Victoria is the capital of sa国际传媒 and an oceanfront city with a deep connection to the seafaring life. It鈥檚 also a city that thrives on tourism, so a well-designed, accessible, engaging maritime museum should be a good fit.
The prospect of a tourist and heritage precinct that would include the Empress Hotel, the Royal sa国际传媒 Museum, the legislature, the Steamship Terminal and the maritime museum is an attractive one that could help make the most of the now-thriving Inner Harbour.
It doesn鈥檛 appear that there is a lack of will. Three provincial departments are involved in the negotiations, and Ian Robertson, the new harbour authority CEO, says he would be happy to see the maritime museum as a tenant. Museum staff are busily chasing $1.5 million in grants that are tied to the proposed new home.
We don鈥檛 want the maritime museum to turn into another E&N Railway, where good intentions stumble along, year after frustrating year.
The collections of the Maritime Museum of sa国际传媒 are an important part of our heritage. Finding them a home that will attract both residents and visitors must be a priority.
