The Oliver and District Heritage Society is looking for a 14 per cent funding increase from the Town and the regional district. Shown at a previous meeting are, from left, guest speaker Randy Manuel, board member Pat Hampson, heritage manager Pam Woolner and Elizabeth Wagner.
The growing pains of upgrading and modernizing has prompted the Oliver and District Heritage Society to ask for a 14 per cent funding increase.
Board member Dave Mattes told Oliver Town council last week that the group has been “starved financially” in the past and needs an additional $17,700 ($4 extra per household) to continue operations.
The 2016 draft budget shows the need for a $145,000 tax levy, compared to $127,000 last year.
Mattes said they are asking for a small increase in wages for two staff members, in addition to employee benefits.
“We’ve never had benefits for any of our employees, so we feel it’s time.”
Mattes pointed out most of the $17,700 they are asking for will be invested in staff.
The budget also shows building repair projects totalling $41,300, including a new roof on the museum, replacing windows, and new flooring/paint for the archives building ($8,700).
Mattes said they also need new computers and a new server.
Boad chair Sue Morhun said a lot of “quiet” work has been done upgrading and modernizing the 32-year-old organization.
She noted the museum and archives had nearly 1000 visitors in the past 10 months, nearly triple what was experienced last year.
Volunteers donated more than 1500 hours in the first nine months of 2015, compared to 1400 hours in 2014.
Membership has grown by 13 per cent, and three summer students were hired this year, Morhun stated.
She pointed out the museum hosted a successful week-long summer day camp for children in partnership with the Royal BC Museum. In fact, there was a wait list that could not be accommodated, she said.
The society also raised $1,700 to purchase badly needed storage shelving for its artifacts.
By Lyonel Doherty
