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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - Two societies in Fort Simpson are celebrating the arrival of funding for a long-awaited project.

On March 11, representatives of the Fort Simpson Historical Society and the Open Sky Creative Society signed a $250,000 contribution agreement with Cultural Spaces Canada. The money will be used for the Heritage Centre.

Martina Norwegian, president of the Fort Simpson Historical Society examines the blueprints for the Heritage Centre. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

"We're all excited. We have plans to start the work," said Norwegian, the president of the historical society.

The two societies have been working for years on a plan to renovate the former Sacred Heart rectory, located on the village's main street, into a museum, gallery and gathering space.

The project hit a snag last year when the societies put out a tender for phase two of the project, which was to include work on the siding, windows and doors as well as the final stabilization of the interior of the building.

Only one bid was submitted and it was for double the expected amount. This put other funding sources in doubt, said Norwegian.

Before funding for the project would be released by other potential contributors the societies were required to demonstrate enough money was available to complete the project. When building improvements came in well over budget funders asked for an explanation of how the societies would make up the difference, said Norwegian.

"We had to stop and go back to the drawing board and see where we were going to find the other funding," she said.

The project has a total estimated cost of more than $1 million. The signed contribution agreement with Cultural Spaces Canada is now expected to allow the release of funding from other groups.

"It just kind of opens doors to start the project again," she said.

With the money in hand, work is expected to start again on the Heritage Centre this summer. The majority of the project including the land purchase and the interior gutting and stabilization work is finished, said Norwegian.

The blueprints for both the exterior and interior of the building are also complete.

"It's just ready to go," she said.

This summer's tasks will focus on the exterior appearance of the building and some interior work. The societies are currently in negotiations to hire a contractor to do the work, said Norwegian. A consultant has also been hired to help organize the project and write proposals for further funding.

The finished centre can't come soon enough for the societies. Both societies are currently working out of a space in the basement of the former village office. The one-year rental period with the village ends in March and it will only be renewed on a month to month basis starting in April.

"It's really kind of unsettling because we have no where else to go," Norwegian said.

For now, however, the two societies are trying to focus on the positive development of having a funding agreement, said Julia Tsetso, the president of the Open Sky Creative Society.

"Thanks to all the community members, our MLA and MP who have continued to support this project and encouraged the group when things looked grim," said Tsetso in an e-mail.