MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release: November 20, 2007

The Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingston is pleased to announce that the successful resolution of their property lease issue is close at hand.  For the past thirty years, the Marine Museum has occupied the former Kingston Shipyards and Dry-dock property, a designated national historic site on Kingston's waterfront.  The property, which is owned by Public Works and Government Services Canada and managed by the City of Kingston on their behalf, was leased for the purpose of establishing a marine museum. As the November 2007 lease end drew nearer, however, the property was deemed surplus to Public Works needs and was slated for disposal.  The Marine Museum Board of Trustees became concerned that they could well be in the position of finding a new home for their nationally significant collections and for the Museum Ship Alexander Henry.

Following  months of negotiations between the Marine Museum, Public Works and Government Services Canada and the City of Kingston, a number of agreements  have been made that move a significant step forward towards the Museum's goal of a establishing a national museum of the Great Lakes on the Shipyards property. The announcement of the following points of agreement are anticipated within the near future:

v       The City of Kingston will not renew their lease with Public Works for the Museum property on its expiry in November 30, 2007;

v       The Marine Museum will continue to occupy the buildings at the expiry of their license agreement with the City on November 29, 2007;

v       The City of Kingston will continue to provide financial operational support to the Museum, notwithstanding the termination of the license agreement;

v       Public Works and Government Services staff are working to obtain health and safety funding for repairs to the site;

v       Public Works and Government Services staff shall partner with the Marine Museum to bring the property to an appropriate standard and work towards an ultimate transfer of the property to the Museum or to the City of Kingston;

v       Public Works and Government Services Canada will continue to work towards a long-term solution for this National Historic Site, including a permanent home for the Marine Museum at its existing  location.

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It is the opinion of the Marine Museum's Board of Trustees that these agreements provide the best chances of continued success for the Museum, and that partnering directly with Public Works and Government Services Canada will open new avenues of funding to the Museum that were not available under the old lease arrangement.  Board Chair Mark Siemons commented that he especially wished to thank Senator Hugh Segal for his assistance in bringing the Museum's concerns to the attention of Public Works Minister Michael Fortier and Assistant Deputy Minister Tim McGrath.

The last year and a half have seen unprecedented collaboration  between the City of Kingston and the Marine Museum.  This was only possible with the support and leadership of City Council and Staff including Councilor Bill Glover, Chief Administrative Officer Glen Laubenstein, Cynthia Beach, Commissioner, Growth and Sustainability and Speros Kanellos, Director Growth and Initiatives.

Added Board Chair Mark Siemons:  “We still have much to do but for now we are basking in the glow of a battle well won.”

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For further information, please contact:

Mark Siemons, Chair, Board of Trustees

Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingston (613) 384-3876; mark@altair.ca

Ann Blake, Executive Director

Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingston (613) 542-2261; ablake@marmuseum.ca