Discussions

Looks like during budget deliberations, continued funding ($80,000) for the museum was questioned. In 2015 roughly 1200 visitors came. There is a write up in the Brandon Sun, for those who have a subs:cription can read it in full.  
 
http://www.brandonsun.com/local/council-questions-future-of-museum-412367713.html?thx=y  
 
While learning about the City's history is good, but doesn't exactly have the wow factor that other museums have. It doesn't exactly have people making the museum a go to place when they visit Brandon. Same with the B.J Hales Collection. The animal collection is also nice, but still doesn't have that draw.  
 
The one thing that the article doesn't mention is the Brandon Hills Model Railroad Club that's part of the museum. Many people come by just because of the trains and likely made for over half of the 1200 visitors. The layouts are in a still in the building phase and visitor get to see what it takes to build them. There's also a wide range of trains that get run, from steam to modern. We have many repeat visitors. We also show some of the railway history of Brandon.  
 
The location is also small and not very accessible for those who use wheelchairs. Right now, you have to go to the backlane and have someone from the inside open the back door.  
 
There has been some talk of the museum relocating to a larger space that will allow for more displays.  
 
http://brandongeneralmuseum.ca/  
 
http://brandonhillsmrc.wixsite.com/bhmrc  
 
Guess as a member of the railroad club, I really don't want to see the museum close since they gave us a home after being told to move from the Town Centre. But it would also be nice for the museum to find a larger location so they can expand and offer a better general museum. Which in turn hopefully means we can relocate with them. If the museum closes, that means the railroad club will have to find a new home.

If they can't pull in the crowds then close it. Like you pointed out Trevor over half of the visitors that come to the place do so to see the trains.  
 
As for a larger location? That means more tax dollars.

The museum does have people who attend. The issue is that so many people do not yet realise it is there. The model railway club is only open on Saturday mornings, so couldn't possibly account for the majority of visitors. It is a good display, but is not the only draw for the museum.  
 
The museum rotates exhibits, focusing on many different aspects of Brandon's history. This i:ncludes the railway, but also many other things, including the BJ Hales collection, which is an antique collection of animals.  
 
The people who work to put these exhibits together and research so many different parts of Brandon's history deserve a little credit, Trevor, and their work does have a wow factor for those who spend the time to learn what they have displayed.  
 
I love going to the museum, there is always something new, and the tour guides do a great job!!!!!

One option would be to move it for the time being to the basement of city hall number two on princess. Basement is almost totally not being used for anything other then storage. The majority of the museums expenses are for rent and utilities.With the move there would be a big savings and still preserve the artifacts in a place that they can still be enjoyed.  
 
The railways club could be changed a nominal fee for the space they use . Then they could look for other groups that could enhance the attractions and drive more traffic.

Oh Canada said "One option would be to move it for the time being to the basement of city hall number two on princess. Basement is almost totally not being used for anything other then storage. The majority of the museums expenses are for rent and utilities.With the move there would be a big savings and still preserve the artifacts in a place that they can still be enjoyed.     The railways club could be changed a nominal fee for the space they use . Then they could look for other groups that could enhance the attractions and drive more traffic. "

It is about the city and there is more than enough space. Draw people to hub...what a smart idea, across from a restored fire hall where a bell should be ringing.  
 
THEN ADVERTISE! Thousands of people in this town did not know there is a museum beyond Daly and the airport!  
 
However that would mean people coming and going and god forbid the complaints may come through about how little /much people may actually be doing on the way to the museum. It would also mean a small revenue on a budget line... What not rely on taxpayers?  
 
Edited by AnimalLover, 2017-02-05 07:56:11

Oh Canada said "One option would be to move it for the time being to the basement of city hall number two on princess. Basement is almost totally not being used for anything other then storage. The majority of the museums expenses are for rent and utilities.With the move there would be a big savings and still preserve the artifacts in a place that they can still be enjoyed.     The railways club could be changed a nominal fee for the space they use . Then they could look for other groups that could enhance the attractions and drive more traffic. "

now the city doesn't need to hire someone for 80 grand a year to figure it out