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Plans to install a lift at the Warkworth Museum are progressing, but fundraising challenges and higher-than-anticipated operating and compliance costs, mean there is still no firm date for its installation.
The lift is part of a $400,000 upgrade programme, which also includes bringing the building up to modern safety standards and undertaking essential maintenance, including roof repairs.
However, insufficient funding to complete the entire programme forced the museum to take a staged approach.
Museum manager Victoria Joule says the first stage, involving building and fire safety compliance work, is finished and was a necessary step towards installing the lift.
Fundraising for the second stage is continuing, alongside investigations into the costs and requirements of the lift.
A report outlining the findings will be presented to the museum committee this month.
“Although $100,000 has been identified towards the lift project, this will not be enough to cover the full cost,” Joule says.
“The museum is continuing to investigate grant funding opportunities, although competition for grants is making this increasingly difficult. A decision on when the lift can be installed will largely depend on securing sufficient funding.”
The third and final stage of the programme will involve work on the museum roof.
Meanwhile, the museum says the completed safety and compliance upgrades have brought an unexpected financial burden.
These expenses come on top of rising insurance and electricity costs, at a time when visitors have less discretionary income to spend.
“As a self-funded community museum, balancing day-to-day operating expenses with the need to maintain and improve the building is becoming increasingly challenging.”
