October 11, 1996
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)
Mary March and Seamen's Museums to become seasonal facilities
Sandra Kelly, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, today announced that the operating season for the Mary March Museum in Grand Falls-Windsor and the Seamen's Museum in Grand Bank will be shortened from 12 months to six months (May 1 to October 31).
"These museums are an important component of this province's tourism and culture product," Ms. Kelly. "And although it is necessary for the department to reduce its museums' budget, government is working to ensure that these facilities remain open during their peak operating months and continue to provide valuable educational opportunities for both resident and non-resident tourists."
The decision to shorten the museums' operating season was made for cost-saving purposes. During government's most recent budget process, the department's museum budget was reduced. Since that time, the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation has been closely monitoring the entire museums' program and considering the most viable options available.
"It was determined that the seasonality of the Mary March and Seamen's museums would meet all necessary budgetary requirements in the most effective and efficient manner possible," the minister said. "A seasonal operation is a more effective and efficient use of the limited funds available to these facilities. Seasonality won't adversely affect the facilities as they both receive more than 80 per cent of their visitation during the May to October period. The new season will enable the facilities to continue servicing stakeholders and schools.
"The May to October season will be in effect for the 1997 operating year. The Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation will, however, continue its consultations with users and interest groups of the Mary March and Seamen's museums in order to fix the opening and closing dates of the museums for future years on a basis which is mutually agreeable to all stakeholders. This year, the Mary March Museum will close on November 1 and the Seamen's Museum will close on November 8."
Contact: Laura Cochrane, Director of Communications, (709) 729- 0928.
| 1996 10 11 | 2:00 p.m. |
