At their Monday meeting, Town Council agreed to write the Osoyoos Museum Society a letter of support to gain funding to renovate a property on Main Street which the Society will gain access to in 2020. (Michele Weisz photo)
By Vanessa Broadbent
Osoyoos Times
At their Monday meeting, Town Council agreed to provide the Osoyoos Museum Society with a letter of support to accompany an application for $1.25 million in infrastructure funding from the provincial and federal Community, Cultural and Recreation Program.
If obtained, the funds will go towards the society’s new museum project which includes relocating the Osoyoos & District Museum and Archives.
A referendum in 2011 allowed the society to purchase a property at 8702 Main Street. As of January 1, 2020 the society will gain possession of the property and be able to begin renovations.
In a letter to council, society president Mat Hassen said the proposed budget for the project is $2.5 million and $750,000 is either already obtained or committed.
“We believe the new museum is a key element in the downtown Osoyoos redevelopment and revitalization plan,” Hassen said.
The Community, Cultural and Recreation Program funding would cover half of the proposed budget.
The program is up to $134 million that the federal and provincial governments committed to invest in public infrastructure. To be considered, projects must improve access or increase quality of cultural, recreational or community infrastructure.
The Osoyoos Museum Society has until January 23 to complete the application for funding.
