• So You Think I Should Vote?
  • QNetNews.ca
  • QNetNews TV
  • 91X FM News
  • QNetNews Interactive

QNetNews.ca

  • TwitterTwitter
  • VimeoVimeo
  • FacebookFacebook

Community

Proposed budget for Quinte West’s Natural History Museum almost doubles

  • January 13, 2021 at 1:12 pm

Executive Director of Quinte West’s proposed Natural History Museum, York Lethbridge (bottom right), standing in front of the council to provide an update on the museum. January 11, 2021. Photo by Trey Boivin.

By Trey Boivin

BELLEVILLE – In an update to Quinte West council on Monday, the executive director of the proposed natural history museum in the city revealed that the budget to get the museum up and running has ballooned from $15  to $25.6 million.

York Lethbridge says the initial budget estimate came from the original proposal for the museum back in 2013.

The museum will focus on dinosaurs and other creatures from the Earth’s five major extinction episodes as well as have an emphasis on indigenous storytelling and the history of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte.

The plan is to purchase the Research Casting International building in Trenton and rent it back to the RCI so they can showcase the process of building prehistoric models and the finished models created by RCI, according to Lethbridge.

The main reasons for the increase cited are the increased purchase price of the building and the increased square footage of the building being used for the museum.

Some eyebrows were raised by councillors when hearing about the increased cost.

Councillor Leslie Roseblade voiced her concerns about the amount of money needed from Quinte West to get the project started before there was any other funding secured from other levels of government.

Lethbridge explained that there is local support for the project from the private sector. But he says the private sector wants to see if there is government funding in place before committing money.

He went on to say that they are pursuing getting funding from the provincial and federal government to lighten the financial load on Quinte West.

http://www.qnetnews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Loyalist-College-6.m4a

“This is a very complex game to play and one that I don’t take lightly,” he said about obtaining funding for the project.

Councillor Sally Freeman, who sits on the museum board, voiced her endorsement of Lethbridge and the project saying that he knows how to spend responsibly.

http://www.qnetnews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Loyalist-College-5.m4a

Lethbridge says that they expect the museum to open in the second quarter of 2022 if all goes well and they can get the funding they need.

The entire council meeting can be viewed here.

Related posts:

  1. Confirmed COVID-19 outbreak at Trenton Walmart
  2. Tight first game of the Hasty P’s Cup promises a great series
  3. Dukes grab first win in Hasty P’s Cup series
  4. Mischief at Quinte West marina
Print This Post Print This Post

Tags: LocalQuinte WestTrenton

    Related Posts

  • Will a film festival be coming to Trenton? February 10, 2016
  • Quinte Humane Society unveils new room for cats November 22, 2018
  • Local United Way falls short $153K January 19, 2017
  • Ontario’s turtles are at risk, but you can help March 30, 2017
  • Top Stories

    • Stay-at-home order doesn’t change Loyalist College’s plans for semesterJanuary 14, 2021
    • Video contest gives Quinte businesses a chance to shineJanuary 14, 2021
    • Belleville’s warming centre adapts to new ways as COVID-19 cases riseJanuary 14, 2021
    • City of Belleville comes to agreement with transit unionJanuary 14, 2021
    • Women in the workforce more affected by pandemic, research showsJanuary 13, 2021
  • Home
  • Community
  • Proposed budget for Quinte West’s Natural History Museum almost doubles
  • Login
    Student Works
    Students
    • TwitterTwitter
    • VimeoVimeo
    • FacebookFacebook

    © 2014 QNetNews.ca. All Rights Reserved.