The Niagara-on-the-Lake Rotary Club has pledged $100,000 to support the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum’s renovation and expansion project. The donation was recognized Thursday morning during a cheque presentation at the museum on Castlereagh Street.
Rotary Club president Cindy Grant and museum chief executive officer and curator Sarah Kaufman attended the event, along with other representatives from both organizations.
The donation contributes to the museum’s $10-million expansion project, which will add a new wing featuring an elevator, community room, guest lobby and temporary exhibit space.
“We feel blessed that they decided to provide the donation to us because it shows how there is community support for this community project,” said Kaufman. “It’s such a symbolic donation.”
Grant said the club values supporting the museum.
“The historical society is an important part of this community,” she said.
In October, the museum also received $150,000 in funding from the Royal Bank of Canada Foundation to fund the elevator in the new wing behind Memorial Hall.
Kaufman said more donations are expected “within the coming weeks.”
Grant said the Rotary Club voted to make the donation at its October meeting.
“This most recent request for funding, Sarah made to us back in the spring,” she said, saying later to The Lake Report that it was made specifically on June 12.
Kaufman presented the proposal to the club earlier this year, and members voted unanimously to approve the funding. Any donation over $50,000 requires approval from the entire branch.
She says the museum was “over the moon” when it found out it would be receiving this money.
The Rotary Club will distribute the $100,000 in $25,000 installments over three years. Three years ago, the club committed $25,000 over five years, with $10,000 still to be paid.
“It’s just a matter of financing and our financial means,” said Grant. “The museum is not the only community organization that we’re funding this year.”
Grant said the club hopes to raise additional funds during its Holiday House Tour on Dec. 5 and 6, a major annual fundraiser.
Kaufman said the museum appreciates multi-year contributions.
“There are other organizations who donate over a couple of years,” she said. “That works wonderfully for us.”
daniel@niagaranow.com
