Mayor Sharie Minions says more discussions need to happen around McLean Mill.
During this week’s Committee of the Whole meeting on the issue, representatives from the McLean Mill Society and the Industrial Heritage Society told city council where things are at, and where they need to be.
Presidents of both societies told city council that the National Historic Site is a unique treasure that no other communities have, but it requires more community, and political support.
Industrial Heritage Society president Kevin Hunter said it is impossible to operate the mill on a purely volunteer basis, and none of the locomotives are currently operational.
Minions said $500,000 is already allocated to McLean Mill for this year, and council will be dissecting their budget during the next few weeks
While McLean Mill is considered a “perfect microcosm of the forest industry,” similar attractions like Barkerville have been reported to be struggling financially, while attractions like Britannia Mines has rebounded after a $10 million government investment.
