The Canadian Firefighters Museum in Port Hope has been forced to close months ahead of schedule.
The building sits on contaminated land by the former Eldorado nuclear facility which has been designated for cleanup.
However, the museum — which houses hundreds of firefighting artifacts dating back to the 1850s — had originally been allowed to stay open until the end of this year.
But the radiation waste cleanup process has been pushed up.
“We’re out nine months earlier than anticipated,” said museum chairman Will Lambert.
The museum opened 34 years ago. But the artifacts — which include firetrucks — now have to be stored elsewhere until a new facility is located.
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“We don’t have anything else in the immediate area right now that is suitable,” said Lambert. “But we have a few irons in the fire for things that are reasonably close by.”
Lambert says those places are not move-in ready so all of the stuff could be in storage for a while. That’s something Mayor Bob Sanderson says isn’t so bad.
“I look at this as a planning year, a year to look at the opportunity,” said Sanderson. “And hopefully with a good plan around it with municipal support as well as community support.”
Several years ago, the museum was aiming to move into the nearby vacant Canadian Tire building. But talks fell apart and the building was recently sold to another buyer.
The museum is supported by visitor donations and gift shop revenue. Now that it’s closed, an online auction of some exhibits is being held until Thursday night to help raise money.
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