Back in Late February, Revelstoke city council opted to take a run at attracting the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame and Museum, which was seeking to relocate from Ottawa to a more ski-friendly location.
At the time, the matter was set to be decided by summer. Now that the snow is flying, we checked back in with the city economic development director for an update.
Alan Mason submitted an application by a new Oct. 15 deadline. The package outlines a $157,500 annual budget for a museum located in the old Century Vallen building next to the Revelstoke Fire Hall.
Mason said attracting the museum would be a challenge, but the real issue is finding funding for the museum – museums typically lose money.
He’s approached the Columbia Basin Trust, hoping to work out some funding for the project; the idea is to get a funding guarantee for any successful bid from within the Columbia Basin. Rossland is also vying to host the museum.
The Revelstoke application package also outlines revenues from admission, a gift shop, corporate donations, memberships and other sources.
The Canadian Ski Hall of Fame and Museum also threw a late rider clause into the deal. They’re now asking for an unspecified “franchise fee” from whomever hosts the museum.
A decision should come soon. The museum hopes to move the artifacts by Dec. 15 and have the museum open by the summer of 2013.
Other communities in the running include Whistler, B.C., Grouse Mountain in North Vancouver, B.C. and Mont Tremblant, Que.