Science Timmins is getting a short-term loan from the city.

Timmins city council held a special meeting last Thursday (December 29th) for the request, and approved the loan for $50,000.

The village’s Vice President Lorraine Cantin says they’re continuing to push for new memberships, but they’ve been struggling.  A big push for members came in the fall, once they realized not enough people were coming.

“We do have funding for all of our equipment purchases and for our exhibits but I think it’s on the operational side that is proving to be a little bit problematic,” she said.

The village is awaiting dollars to come in from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund (NOHFC).

The motion is to give two payment installments of $25,000 each, and the loan will be paid back in March 2017.

“It would give us a few months to continue with our membership drive.  We’ve got a great team, a marketing team that’s out there every day on social media,” Cantin said, later adding the drive is going well but there’s still a ways to go.

She says it would take 2,000 memberships to cover their operational costs for a year.  The marketing team is aiming for at least 500 memberships every four months.

Ward 5 councillor Mike Doody was more than happy to raise his hand in support.

“I think it’s an investment in the young people in our community,” he said.

Overall, the request was approved unanimously.  Though, there were three empty chairs around the table: the vacant seat awaiting incoming Ward 1 councillor Veronica Farrell, and Councillors Rick Dubeau and Joe Campbell.

Filed under: Local News