It has been very gratifying for the staff and volunteers at the B.C. Museum of Mining to size up the year 2004 and to highlight our accomplishments.
First, we can boldly claim that the Museum's profile has gone up a notch. We have more than 650 members and more than 400 people revisited Britannia in 2004 as part of the 100th reunion. Thank you to everyone who is a member and who assists with our many projects and comes out to our events.
In 2004 more than 6,600 students came to the Museum for a curriculum-based tour. We believe in looking at how modern mining companies address environmental issues which our historic perspective helps define. We were excited to learn that more secondary and post secondary students visit our museum on an organized tour than any of the many larger museums in Vancouver.
Our 2004 admission revenues accounted for 28 per cent of our income. In 2004 more than 44,000 people visited or utilized a service we provide. Our annual budget was almost $1 million which translates to a significant economic benefit for Squamish. The Museum employs four professional staff with staff additional full time staff and seven students who receive employment experience.
Most of the employees live in Squamish. Capital improvements were central to our work in 2004. The Museum invested more than $35,000 in the historic Concentrator addressing structural and safety needs and an additional $30,000 in the general site and other improvements including signage. Our tunnel received $25,000 in improvements which was largely supported from donations. In our many years of operation, more than 1.5 million people have gone underground in the tunnel. For most of our capital projects, supplies and labour was provided by Squamish and corridor businesses.
We are certainly gearing up for 2005 and invite people to visit during Spring break when we will be open for tours. Check our website for details at www.bcmuseumofmining.org. Wondering about why a trip to Britannia should be on your list?
"If we can't grow it, it must be mined". Come to the Museum to learn more and have an underground experience.
