The MLA for Queens-Shelburne is hopeful Perkins House can re-open in 2020.
The McNeil government included funding in this year’s provincial budget towards the 252 year-old building.
Media relations with the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage, Lynette MacLeod, says this year’s budget “includes a continued $80,000 in operational funding for Perkin’s House. This is the same amount that has been provided for the past several years.”
The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal is responsible for the cost of restoration work but didn’t confirm a dollar figure for the project.
The cost of renovations is estimated between $1-million to $1.5-million.
Perkins House has been closed since 2015 after the site was deemed unsafe due to structural issues with the walls and floor.
Kim Masland says she’s optimistic things are looking up.
“It’s one of our oldest museums in the province and it’s certainly a treasure in Queens County,” says Masland.
“When they had to close their doors in 2015 it was was a very sad day for us in Queens County.”
The government promised it would repair Perkins House in 2016 and announced renovations in 2017 but it remains closed.
Masland says the minister told her one of the issues with renovations is finding a carpenter who can restore the building to its original style.
(Photo Courtesy: Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage)
Reported by: Nick Yorston
Twitter: @NickYorston
E-mail: yorston.nick@radioabl.ca
