The Dauphin Rail Museum is set to begin fund-raising for the Dauphin Rail Turntable Exhibit.
To set the wheels in motion, the first of two open houses were held at the museum, Saturday.
The open house, which included a rendering of the exhibit, was intended to be a question-and-answer session regarding the project, its significance and the fund-raising effort.
“We thought it would be good for the public to come in, see what we’re trying to propose and then if they have any questions regarding the structure itself, the rendering, the fund-raising, that’s why we’re holding this today,” said museum president Jason Gilmore.
The museum has an arrangement with the City of Dauphin to accept donations on the museum’s behalf and issue tax receipts.
“If you didn’t want to go that route, you can donate directly to the Dauphin Rail Museum, as well. But if you want a tax receipt, you have to go through the City,” Gilmore said.
The goal for this phase is to move the structure to CN Park beside the CN Station, which would cost $75,000.
“We’ve already had some consultations with Reit-Syd. They’re going to help with the move and the prep of the site,” Gilmore said.
“But we do need some engineering help as this structure is still 50,000 pounds. We want to make sure it’s stable and there is a little concrete pour, so we want to make sure that’s done in the proper fashion, as well.”
The 24-foot structure is still at its current location by the city public works shop.
“Our goal, in a perfect world, is to have this in place as shown in the rendering by the time snow falls. That would be ideal, but we know in this day and age right now things are a little bit challenging financially. Especially some of the organizations in town and companies that are very community orientated, we’re hoping they’ll step up given the tax receipts issued, as well,” Gilmore said.
“But this will be a one-of-one legacy. There’s nothing like this in Manitoba, for sure, probably western Canada at the very least, bringing to light this structure that was quite common, but this was the last remaining one in Manitoba.”
A second open house will be held, May 30, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free coffee will be on hand, as well as dainties courtesy of Western Bakery.