Editorially speaking...
We begin this week’s editorial on a happy note, a press release from the Cowichan Valley Museum:
Together We Did It! Duncan Train Station, Winner of the National Trust for Canada’s Next Great Save. Update!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 12, 2023.
The Duncan Train Station was announced as the winner of the National Trust for Canada’s Next Great Save competition on February 23 and found out that they would receive the $50,000 prize! We now have news to report.
Duncan, BC - For the past two months, volunteers at the Cowichan Historical Society, the organization charged with caring for the Duncan Train Station, have been signing contracts and meeting with contractors to make sure work begins on this Next Great Save project.
Workers installing the new heat pump system in the Cowichan Valley Museum, downtown Duncan. —CVMA
Sheila Kitson, Vice-President of the Cowichan Historical Society, reports that “We have an agreement with the National Trust for Canada, a contract has been signed with David Coulson Design Ltd., a heritage building consulting firm, to oversee the project, of replacing the aging heating system in the train station. A local company that will ensure the work is done carefully and within the parameters set out for registered Heritage buildings.”
David Coulson and his team will begin the process of replacing the heating system along with additional electrical and duct work. In preparation for the installation of the new efficient heat pumps, Una’s balcony (on the second floor of the museum, facing Canada Ave.—Ed.) has been repaired, the existing duct work has been vacuumed and the new units have been manhandled up a staircase to the second floor of the Duncan Train Station.
The existing heating system needs replacement due to its crumbling state and inefficiency of operation. The Society looks forward to lower heating costs and less greenhouse gas emissions, as well as the more modern care of the museum artifacts. Exchange Energy has supplied the heat pumps.
Ms. Kitson also remarked on how the Next Great Save has brought the community together in its support of the train station and the museum. “The people of Duncan and the Cowichan Valley and beyond have really been behind the museum and the Train Station.
“Even now, people throughout the Valley talk about how exciting the competition was and ask about the next steps. As work proceeds, we’ll keep everyone updated on the progress. We couldn’t have done it without the enthusiastic community behind us!”
I [media rep Larry Kier] will take this opportunity to thank David Coulson, his crew, Ethan and the crew of Exchange Energy, Jason of Coastal Power Vacuum all local companies for their consideration and respect in working in a 111-year-old building. Their cooperation in getting the work done before the summer visitor season starts in the museum is appreciated.
This project has been spoken about for probably the last four years, funds were applied for through grants, (which were unsuccessful) and now, finally, we can see a completion date on the not-too-distant horizon.
Replacing the heating system is just the beginning of a list of projects that the Duncan Train Station needs. Repairs, prep work and painting of the building are the next on the list; the building warrants “curb appeal” and before that, we need to undertake fundraising and sponsorships.
The CHS is registered as a charity with Revenue Canada and can give CRA receipts for amounts of $25.00 or more. Donations can also be given with Canada Helps found on our website.
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I’m also pleased to report that Victoria’s venerable waterfront store Capital Iron is coming back from the near-grave of bankruptcy.
What memories that classic building holds for me. How many Saturday afternoons as a kid did I search its three floors (including—particularly—the basement), in search of war surplus goods (camping gear, knives, etc., and a First World War bayonet for a machete), rope, hunting knife, et al, while studying the photo gallery of ships the company had scrapped over the years.
By my 20’s my interest was in the ships still being dismantled while tied up alongside the company’s Inner Harbour dock. What stories they could tell! Ships of sail, Union Steamship coastal liners, the shipwrecked Liberty ship Glafkos, the renowned deep-sea tug (and former corvette) Sudbury I), and various RCN frigates.
Best of all, there were times when owner-manager Ron Greene let me loose without a guide to clamber aboard these ships and take photos of them in various stages of dismantling.
They don’t do that any more at Capital Iron but I have my memories—and my photos; they’ve given me some great stories over the years.