Opening date set for heritage centre
Fort Simpson Historical Society says new building may open as early as March
April Hudson
Northern News Services
Thursday, November 3, 2016
LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
The Fort Simpson Historical Society's new heritage centre could be open as early as March, if everything goes according to plan.
Martina Norwegian gives a speech during the Fort Simpson Historical Society's annual general meeting on Oct. 29. - April Hudson/NNSL photo
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That timeline was laid out during the society's annual general meeting on Oct. 29.
During the meeting, community members and society members heard a financial report for the society as well as an update on the heritage centre.
Work began on the building in August 2014 after years of planning and fundraisers. The exterior of the building was recently completed and work has started on the interior.
Martina Norwegian, the society's president said electrical, mechanical and interior finishing work is currently being arranged thanks to funding obtained from the territorial government.
Interior work will begin once the building's interior design is approved by the GNWT Fire Marshall's office.
The opening date comes in spite of delays to construction after the basement flooded in the spring.
The flooding caused mold to set in around the lumber framing in the basement and damaged the concrete floor, lifting a support beam and adding pressure to the building's rafters.
"That was a challenge this year," Norwegian said.
"That's all cleared up now, thanks to a sump pump and (dehumidification)."
Naming campaign still open
Over the summer, the historical society developed a campaign to crowdsource a name for the building.
Norwegian said those efforts are ongoing.
"We started a campaign to name our new building, and we've got some names," she said.
"We were (originally) going to announce it in June, but then we thought we would just keep collecting names. That's still open."
Other upcoming initiatives for the society include an appearance at the John Tsetso Memorial Library Christmas Bazaar as well as continued advocacy for the restoration of The Old Barn, a historical site that includes a two-storey structure built in the 1920s.
Norwegian said there are financial challenges with the barn's restoration as well as logistical ones, since it is on property owned by the Village of Fort Simpson.
"I walk past it every morning and it's kind of leaning more and more every year," she said.
"But when it's all said and done, our mission statement is keeping history alive through preservation and education, to present the rich history as a living and vital part of the community. If we don't do it, who else is going to?"
Executive re-elected
During the annual general meeting, Norwegian was acclaimed president, while Renalyn Pascua-Matte was acclaimed treasurer.
The organization also agreed to combine its secretary and treasurer positions, after no nominations were received for the position of secretary.
