Revitalization changes at the B.C. Museum of Mining will be happening weekly, according to the organization's director Kirstin Clausen.
2,000 plywood sheets went on the roof of the mill building earlier this week and Clausen said next week the windows and frames would be airlifted onto the building by helicopter.
"Each week people can watch something new happening," she said.
The locally manufactured windows are something Clausen said has been a creative way for the Britannia Project to save money."By making them locally, we have saved around $500,000," she said.
According to Clausen, since October 2005 local workers have rehabilitated 800 windows including scraping, removal of old glass and puttying. Now these windows are ready to be reinstalled.
She said the team of dedicated staff has ensured the project has remained on time and under budget. "It is quite amazing what this group of people have done," she said.
To move forward with the bigger aspects of the revitalization, such as the earth garden, and visitor's centre, the mining museum will have to wait for confirmation of funding from provincial and federal governments. Clausen said they have asked for $10 million from each level of government as well as pledging to raise $10 million of their own.
"We are waiting to hear back from the government, but they are keeping their cards close to their chests," she said. "We are hoping to know within the next 60 to 90 days."
Clausen said the mining museum is halfway to reaching its fundraising goals, but they are hoping to raise more through various donations and sponsorships. Windows on Howe Sound is an initiative where members of the public can sponsor a window for the mill building.
Despite the construction, the museum is still open for self-guided tours and will be open for scheduled tours during spring break from March 11-19. Clausen said guests are in no danger as long as they obey signs and respect fences.
