A downtown building will soon have a new purpose.
The Humboldt and District Museum and Gallery (HDMG) will be taking over stewardship of the Willkommen Centre soon.
The Willkommen Centre is presently being used for office space for city staff.
On January 24 at the regular City Council Meeting, the HDMG Board presented their vision for the future and asked Council for stewardship of the Willkommen Centre.
In 2008, the HDMG board created a strategic plan for the future of the HDMG.
"We identified the most feasible and economical options for expansion," said Jennifer Hoesgen, curator of the museum.
Their options were to either take over the Willkommen Centre or build onto the existing museum building, which would be an expensive venture that would not provide enough space.
With the museum taking over stewardship of the Willkommen Centre, which is located right across Main St. from the Museum building, it will also guarantee this historic building will be maintained.
"This way, there is preservation of two historic buildings," said Hoesgen.
"We've (previously) talked about the importance of downtown and our history," said Malcolm Eaton, mayor of Humboldt when the subject was discussed at the city council meeting.
"It's important to have anchors (like the museum and Willkommen Centre) at the core of downtown."
The building housing the Willkommen Centre was originally built in 1920 by the Merchant Bank of Canada, said Al Hingley, HDMG board member.
"It's the only remaining historic bank building in the city," said Hingley.
This plan will not only see the building maintained, it will also help create more exhibit space for the HDMG.
The museum's storage will reach full capacity within the next three years. With a lot of new artifacts coming in, from the Original Humboldt site and other donations, they have no where to put artifacts.
"There's just not enough room, not enough space," said Hoesgen.
"We don't just collect everything that comes in the door."
The Willkommen Centre will give them more space for exhibits. With limited space in the museum, they are currently unable to host many touring exhibits and art shows.
"(Space restraints) doesn't give us the opportunity to get something new," said Hoesgen.
"(Using the Willkommen Centre) will enable us to bring forward the other part of our name," said Hingley, explaining the new space will allow them to host more art shows.
City Council expressed their support of the museum stewardship of the building during their meeting.
"If anyone can take a building and make it vibrant and thriving, it's the museum," said Councillor Aaron Behiel.
Before the HDMG begins using the Willkommen Centre for exhibits, they will be making sure conditions are suitable for artifacts.
"We have to do proper storage (and) provide proper care (of the artifacts)," said Hoesgen.
They are currently taking readings of the humidity in the building.
Once they know the building is safe for artifacts, they will begin getting the building ready for exhibits.
"The majority of the money (for this) will come from the museum reserves and the (HDMG) Foundation," said Hoesgen.
They hope to have the main floor open to the public in 2012.
"It's so exciting to expand and see dreams come true," said Carol Oleksyn, HDMG board member.
