Ukrainian museum urges feds to make funding decision

Supporters of a Ukrainian museum in Edmonton say they desperately need a new and bigger building, and they want answers from Ottawa about whether it will help cover expenses.

The province, the city and individuals have all chipped in after a 10-year fundraising campaign by the Ukrainian Canadian Archives Museum of Alberta. But the museum is still waiting for final approval and cash from Ottawa.

"People maybe get a little bit disappointed about the lack of progress so it's hard to get people enthusiastic about something that's stagnated," said museum board member Paul Teterenko

Museum officials say theynever thought it would take this long, and neither did Conservative MP Peter Goldring, a long-time supporter of the project.

"(We were) just about ready to see ink on paper. What happened?I don't know.I really don't know," he said.

Museum officials hope recently-appointed Minister of Public Works Rona Ambrose, an Edmonton MP, will help push the project along.

That's why officials want to move fromthe current location on 95th Street and 110th Avenue to a former hotel on Jasper Avenue that dates from the turn of the 20th century.

The building needs major renovations and plans have already been drawn up. HIP Architects and David Murray Architect received an award of merit in November from the 2009 Edmonton Urban Design Awards for its design for the building.

"We would certainly love to see some more hoopla, and get some more construction happening here so we can show people that we are adamant about moving forward," said Teterenko.

The new museum is expected to cost $21 million. An additional $5 million endowment fundwill helpdefray operational costs.

The province was the first to contribute with a $3 million grant. The city followed suit after council unanimously approved a $3 million contribution.

The museum has also benefited from various private donations, including $200,000 from the Koziak Family Foundation and $100,000 from the Servus Credit Union. Artist Peter Shostak donated $100,000 worth of his prints for sale in support of the building fund.