On Tuesday, March 20, 2012, the Victoria Times Colonist published an article on Craigflower Manor. Although we appreciate the media coverage, there have been questions surrounding the financials mentioned in the article. TLC would like to clarify the statement: “Craigflower Manor costs TLC about $150,000 a year to operate.” This amount speaks to when the site is fully operational and open to the public. It includes costs for the Craigflower Manor site and the Craigflower Schoolhouse site and covers two full time staff and summer students as well as maintenance and ongoing restoration. It also consists of general utilities, insurance, security, and programming costs.
Since the fire in 2009, the site has been closed and the current operating costs are substantially less approximately $41,000 per year.
As the article mentioned we will be looking for new ways to engage the community in the site and to generate more income. This “re-visioning” of the site has been in the works for some time, and is being brought forward at this time to respond to changes being imposed as a result of the Craigflower bridge reconstruction, and to take advantage of current funding opportunities. Some ideas to date include: new program facilities, a greater focus on the agricultural history of the site, a coffee shop, a farm produce market, and offering expanded educational programming at Craigflower Schoolhouse. This new approach will require financial support and/or investment, and TLC will be discussing all of these options with the Province, the local municipalities and the community.
We look forward to establishing new programming in 2013 after the Craigflower Bridge construction is complete. Please check back at our website for future information regarding these National Historic Sites.
Times Colonist interview about Craigflower Manor and its future uses http://www.timescolonist.com/travel/Craigflower+Manor+dire+straits/6328928/story.html
CFAX 1070 interview with Deputy Executive Director Ian Fawcett regarding Craigflower Manor and the importance of protecting our historic landmarks http://www.cbc.ca/
