Renovation of the Oliver Museum began this morning with the arrival of the asbestos removal team. The Oliver and District Heritage Society’s objective is to make the Museum into a safe, accessible and community friendly place. The first step is to remove the considerable quantity of asbestos in the basement. This dangerous material is lining the ceiling above and walls around the furnace area and was probably put in at a time when the building was heated with wood or coal. Part of our renovation involves a new heat pump and high efficiency gas furnace so this material would be disturbed by its installation.

The removal is expected to be finished this week which will allow the installation of the new heating and cooling system and changing out the plumbing system in early August. The current plumbing is a safety issue too but not to people. The building still has 87-year-old galvanized piping carrying water under pressure. It is only a matter of time before the pipes fail and pose a threat to our building and displays. Watchel Plumbing will be disconnecting all the old galvanized piping and cast iron sewer piping when they run modern piping to the new wheelchair accessible washroom and coffee kitchen in the northeast corner of the main floor. In August the carpenters will be moving in and begin altering the two westerly rooms to form one larger space as a multi-purpose space for education and volunteer and staff activities.

The Society is hoping to complete finishing work in early fall to be followed by remounting displays and preparing the Museum for re-opening.

Michael Newman