THUNDER BAY — New opportunities, a new board of directors, and the designation of the Alexander Henry ship as a heritage location through Parks Canada have the Transportation Museum of Thunder Bay ready to set sail into the new season.
Anthony Foglia, the museum's vice president, said during their annual general meeting they examined ways to grow the museum.
Among the events hosted last season were the Coast Guard Days, which drew hundreds of people to see the exhibits, U.S. Coast Guard vessels, and the Canadian Samuel Risley Coast Guard cutter.
"We drew some attention to different museum ships in the U.S., who have seen what we're doing and will maybe try to co-ordinate some more ships to come and visit our Coast Guard Days this year," Foglia said.
The Dock Side Market will now be expanded and relocated to the front area of the museum property adjacent to the arriving cruise ships.
"We had quite a few different vendors try us out and give us feedback and the second season this year will be a little bit different," he said. "We're not going to be following the schedule of the arrival of the cruise ships this year. We're going to be following our kind of structure and host the markets on Thursday evenings through August and September. If that lines up with ship arrival, great because the market will be close to them for access. There will also be a small vendor charge."
The return of the Haunted Henry event proved the most successful event, raising "significant" funds for Our Kids Count and for the museum.
"It created revenue that helped support our operations for this year and it covers our insurance," Foglia noted, adding it will be back this year.
Foglia credits the new board and its decisions, as well as some new strong business partnerships, with a successful 2023 season.
"Last year, Tourism Thunder Bay supported us, especially through advertising our events through their social channels," he said. "Also, we have formed new partnerships with other smaller organizations, such as the Circle Railway Society, which oversees the caboose at the marina."
Work is underway for the museum to house the caboose within its secure site and by building a shelter for it to protect it from the elements. The Northwestern Ontario Aviation Heritage Centre is also on the horizon for a possible aircraft exhibition at the transportation museum later this year.
"We have different corporations and companies that are looking to host events on our site," Foglia said. "We haven't been advertising that but we've been accepting them just to see how it goes. People are looking to us as a new option for hosting graduations, weddings, and other ceremonies in the future, so that's something we are venturing into in the future."
Foglia says the one big challenge is waiting on the city's waterfront development plans because until they have all the reports back, the city is hesitant to sign any agreements.
"Until (the city's plan is set), we can't make any significant changes to the site, and anything we planned to expand on this year will have to hold off on until we can get something solidified with them," Foglia said.
Meanwhile, the museum is looking into provincial and federal funding opportunities to help them build on some of the initiatives that they hope will open up new funding streams for them.
The Chronicle Journal / Local Journalism Ini
