History in a squeeze

By RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff Feb 04 2007 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/

The Vernon Museum is increasingly squeezed for space and that has the agency seeking action.Museum officials have written to the City of Vernon asking that it possibly take over the current library facility if a new library branch is constructed. “We desperately need to expand our operations,” said Ron Candy, curator. The museum contains 11,000-square-feet but after mechanical rooms, storage and offices are taken out of the equation, there is only about 6,000-square-feet for displays. “Our research space is crowded all the time. It’s very busy,” said Candy. Besides being unable to expand permanent exhibits, the museum is unable to host travelling exhibits because of a lack of space, and storage is overflowing.

“We just can’t stop collecting. We’re collecting items that are important to Vernon and the North Okanagan,” said Candy. And with 3,000 school children a year visiting the museum, there is no where for programs. It had been hoped the museum would be part of a cultural complex on the old Coldstream Hotel site, but that plan has been abandoned by the city. The museum is now eyeing the existing library facility as an option for its space problems. The city is proposing to construct a new, three-storey building between city hall and the current library. Okanagan Regional Library is interested in having a new branch on the ground floor. Such a structure will depend on the city garnering senior government grants. But if it occurs, Candy believes the current library site could easily be incorporated into the museum.

“If the space becomes available, we want to be considered as a possible tenant,” he said. For Candy, it’s vital that the museum have the space necessary to meet the needs of local residents.“It all boils down to quality of life. People should have the opportunity to learn and explore,” he said, adding that museums also bolster economic development. “It (heritage) is one of the fastest growing segments of tourism around. Museums are heavily visited.” In February, the museum will hold a workshop that leads to an overall conceptual plan for expansion into the library building.