Wednesday, August 16, 2000 - North Shore News - 9 ‘(em Capilano: c=. ‘College | Shipbuildi James P. Delgado Contributing Writer HAVING read Donald Currie’s heartfelt arti- cle in the North Shore News (Look at the big- ger maritime heritage picture, July 12), I feel that the time has come for the Vancouver Maritime Museum to formally and publicly wade into the discus- sion. The Vancouver Maritime Museum was built in 1958 as the first purposely designed maritime museum in Canada. While we were built to house the St. Reels, in the last 42 years the museum's collec- tions and programs have grown significantly to encom- pass a legacy and a story much bigger than just the City of Vancouver or the Se. Roch itself. In tact, we tell the - story of the port — in all of its attendant municipalities and waterways, as well as British Columbia (and by extension) Canada’s ties to the Pacific. Our membership and audience is drawn trom throughout the Lower Mainland, with the majority of our members focused in the west end of Vancouver and on the North Shore. Those members include a _ number of corporate partners ‘such as Cates, Seaspan, Vancouver Shipyard, Allied Shipbuilders, Nuytco Research, CFI, Global Marine, Vancouver Wharves, the Pacific Marine Training Campus, Osborne Propellers and the companies in the Washington Marine Group. A substantial amount of the contributions we receive come from the North Shore. We channel those dona- tions and sponsorships back region’s modern day and future role in oceans research, and, drawing from our rich collections, the story of the lost and wrecked ships and the tales of heroism, cow- ardice, sacrifice and rescue associated with them. We will also have room enough to display treasures -— models (over a hundred), art (more than 200 paintings) and rare and unique items like Captain Cook’s original, hand drawn itage supporte charts trom his voyage to this coast in 1778 — that we cur- rently have te constantly rotate in and out of storage. Vel also have the eppor- tunity, with more space, to bring in world-class travelling exhibitions and treasures. The Vancouver Maritime Museum has hosted some wonderful exhibitions in the past, such as the treasures from Henry VUPs warship Mary Rose, and artifacts trom the Titanic, We can do much more hosting of the world’s maritime treasures in the new museum, as well as host visits by tall ships like HM Bark Endeavour. Do these plans for a major, national maritime museum conflict with what is proposed for the North Shore? Not at all. What the North Vancouver Museum and Archives and Phil Nuytten are proposing is a restored memorial to the shipbuilding heritage, and a centre to high- light the deep-sea industry that Dr. Nuytten has so prominently figured in. They are not calling for another maritime museum. In ail of our discussions with the museum and Dr. Nuytten, we all agreed that two major Maritime museum projects, presumably just across Burrard Inlet from each other, would in all liketihood cancel cach other out. What we all envision are linked sites and museums, working in an expanded partnership, cach offering something different and unique. Thar has certainly been the Vancouver Maritime Museum’s basis for embracing, other partnerships with other museums and sites, such as Steveston’s Gulf of Georgia Cannery or the Britannia Heritage Shipyard, and one that we envision for future developments like the Burrard Drydock site, or a Point Atkinson Lighthouse interpre- tive centre. The idea of all of SWEET these i institutions or museums and sites as a lighthouse is perhaps the best analogy, for, as we mariners know, light- houses do not compete; they work together as partners to light the way. In that vein, it is important that everybody understands that the Vancouver Maritime Museum: supports the preser- vation of Cape Bretun’s engine. The Artificial Reef Society (ARSBC) originally offered the engine to the Vancouver Maritime Museum. After our acceptance, the ARSBC, with Cape Breton moored in North Vancouver, decided that the North Shore and the Burrard Drydock site might be more appropriate. We agreed with this deci- sion and relinquished our “claim” so that the North Vancouver Museum and Archives could proceed with their initiative. Focusing more See Breton's page 13 Pe SS SSS SSCS OM a anes A aT te aD aw an oO wy é juicy CANTALOUPE Fat & Cholesterol Free, High in Vitamins A&C ii to the cushier for ONE-FREE CANTALOUPE with ¢ aay AT GAP The more things change... The Capi College 1999-200 Annual Review » online and can be viewed at wunwcapeollese.heca adminfreview. For a printed version of the Web- hie review, please contact Shelley Kean at 983-7596, or skean@eapeollege. boca. Continuing Education registration has begun Reyistration has begun for fall 2000 Continuing Edueation counes. Calendars are being delivered to North Shore residents this week. For more information, call 984-4901. Become a skilled IT professional Be a part of the next generation of IT professionals with Capilano College's Technical Comnpater Professional program. This 12-month, full-time program trains students in networking, programming, database management, systems design and e-business, and inelutes an industry workterm. For details, visit wow. cepeollege.be.cafdepr/ha dnytep or come to an information session an Wednesdiy, August 23 from 4 to 6 pam: Please register for the information session by Present this ‘co : coe cong (Limit 2 contoloupe per family, while quantities fast! “not only to the public exhibi- tions and programs for those who visit the museum, but calling 990-7871. , > Business also into school programs for North Shore schools, events such as lectures and a Titanic : children’s program at the . West Vancouver Memorial ©. Library, and several years’ “ participation at Oceans Day at Whytecliff Park, We also participate and collaborate in .programs and exhibitions “with the North Shore muse- ums, loaning artifacts and images and assisting in public campaigns such as the drive “to create a publicly accessible interpretive centre at Point ‘Atkinson Lighthouse. ”. [ think, therefore, that ~ “despite its name, the - “Vancouver Maritime Museum serves more than just > Vancouver. In the near future, we will be changing . our name — and within the “next few years I believe we _ Will also be relocating the “museum to Burrard Inlet to -become a larger, better visit- *-ed and more nationally ~ focused “Maritime Museum : of the Pacific.” That new > facility will include the restored Ben Franklin, which “we were pleased to be offered and are now restoring, as well as the Se. Roch. Ina new © museum, we will tell, for - example, the stories of thou- - sands of years of interaction with the sea, from the First Nations through to today, the saga ‘of immigration and trade by sea, the marine envi- ronment and current efforts to study and preserve it, our A m GN ch ™ COUPON eee ted iit arket fen back to.enter a lucky , jraw: or a free Fruit : ' Busket\Next draw Fresh Large Freestone - PEACHES TOMATOES Sweet ‘Okanagan education at night interested in upgrading thase rusty husiness skills? The Business Administration department affers a variety of business courses in the evening. Call 984-4960 for more information. a -’ Start a career in, retail. : Capilano College's . ‘Retail Marketing Co-operative program prepares students for challenging careers in _ retail and offers paid industry experience ole : during a co-op workwerm, Graduates . find work as wholesale agents, store managers’ a and sale’ fepresentatives. For more information, come to un information meeting on Wednesday, August 23 from 7 to.” 8 pam. in the Cedar _ building, room 347. To reserve a seat, call 984-4960. CAPILANO | COLLEGE - 2055 Purcell Way © North Vancouver: - 986-1917 - www.capcoliege.be.ca.