By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
Anticipating the Canadian Fire Fighters Museum’s fifth annual Antique and Vintage Sale May 11, representative Will Lambert appeared at Cobourg council’s April meeting to ask that the 2025 event be held next door at the West Northumberland Curling Club.
“We have, so far, installed seven trucks and three trailer-size pieces of apparatus,” Lambert said.
“We have five more trucks coming over the next few weeks an two more trailer-size pieces of apparatus.
“That’s why we had to find another place to hold our antiques sale.”
The two are neighbours, with the museum occupying the former Cobourg Memorial Arena and the curling club on the premises of the former Jack Heenan Arena.
“We have a good working relationship with the West Northumberland Curling Club, providing them with some winter storage and working with them wherever we can. So we were surprised to find last month that their lease agreement is a little tighter than ours and doesn’t technically allow for this,” Lambert said.
Council approval is required for such a fundraiser. They are also asking that all profits from the event be retained by the museum.
Council had received a letter of support from WNCC President Linda Laliberte, noting that the CFFM event will include a table for them to promote memberships, as well as a small stipend for them to cover utilities, waste disposal, use of tables and chairs, and access to the defibrillator.
Councillor Miriam Mutton’s motion that both requests be granted passed. And Lambert took the opportunity to offer an update on the museum, saying that the next truck to arrive (next week, they expect) is from Manitoba.
“We are trying to become more Canadian in our collection and reaching out father and farther trying to get artifacts.”
They have received approval to hire a summer student, which is another reason they want to open as soon as possible. They have an architect working on converting the old referees’ washroom to a universal washroom, with plans for a fully accessible entry.
“Cameco has generously agreed to put up a display together for us on industrial firefighting, including their operations out west,” Lambert announced.
Having had their collection in two separate storage areas, they are anxious to get those items out and avoid paying those costs. And they are hopeful for a Trillium grant that will let them update their website, refresh their logo and help create a new display.
Tickets to the May 11 event will include an invitation to come look at the trucks and what displays are already up.
“We want to show it to the public and stir up interest, so it seemed like a good opportunity,” Lambert said.
Applauding this example of collaboration, Community Services Director Brian Geerts noted that the waiver applies to the request only, and a special-events permit will still be required – and all other rules for special events will apply.
