A Vancouver Island battle museum says it’s being pressured to maneuver on account of issues related to a neighbouring homeless shelter.
Courtenay’s HMCS Alberni Museum and Memorial pays tribute to the 59 males who died when their battleship, the Corvette HMCS Alberni, was sunk off the English Coast through the Second World Warfare.
The museum is positioned inside a small mall on Cliffe Avenue subsequent to the Join Momentary Shelter and Service Hub.
The constructing that was leased from town was meant as a brief area for the world’s homeless inhabitants, however that was 5 years in the past.
“Our customer numbers dropped severely, Lewis Bartholomew, HMCS Alberni Museum and Memorial founder, informed World Information. “They’re equal to the COVID closures.
“As a result of the guests don’t wish to come all the way down to this a part of city.”
The museum operators say they know there’s a want for housing, however the expectation when Join moved in was that it will be there for six to 12 months earlier than a brand new location could be discovered.
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Whereas BC Housing has now recognized a brand new everlasting location, completion of the constructing is not less than three years away.
“The expectation on the time was six to 12 months for a brand new location that was extra everlasting and extra purpose-built could be positioned,” Courtenay Mayor Bob Wells informed World Information.
“Sadly, that didn’t occur.”
The three workers members left on the museum, who’ve been placing in their very own cash to maintain issues up and working, say it’s now too late.
“We’ve had three deaths of people that have overdosed on in all probability fentanyl,” Bartholomew mentioned.
“We’ve had feces in our hallways and in addition at our gates that need to be cleaned up.
“One girl parked three blocks away and referred to as my cellphone and requested if I’d escort her down right here to the mall.”
The museum is now on the lookout for one other location and has discovered a property throughout the freeway in Cumberland, however it’s costly.
“We’re penniless,” Bartholomew mentioned.
“We want donations or a donor who would help the museum, or who would sponsor the museum, by serving to us buy this constructing.”
The one different possibility is to shut down for good.
The museum’s lease expires in October.
© 2025 World Information, a division of Corus Leisure Inc.
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