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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOES 13-05 REPORT TO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Report Number: OES 13-05 Date: May 3, 2005 Stephen Reynolds Division Head, Culture & Recreation Subject: Pickering Museum Village Request to De-Accession Quarry Engine Recommendation: 1. That Report OES 13-05 regarding the request to de-accession the quarry engine at the Pickering Museum Village be received; and That Council approve the deaccessioning of the quarry engine from the Pickering Museum Village; and 3. That Council approve the donation of the quarry engine to the Ontario Steam Heritage Museum Inc.; and That staff be authorized to enter into an appropriate disposal agreement respecting the quarry engine; and 5. That the appropriate officials of the City of Pickering be given the authority to give effect thereto. Executive Summary: The Pickering Museum Village is currently home to a 1900's quarry engine located on a length of track just north of the steam shed on the Museum site. The quarry engine has no particular heritage significance to Pickering Township and is not used for any programming or interpretive purpose. At present, it is taking up valuable space on site and poses a safety risk as children try to climb on it. The Pickering Museum Village Advisory Committee and staff recommend the quarry engine be deaccessioned and donated to the Ontario Steam Heritage Museum located in Puslinch, Ontario. Report OES 13-05 Subject: Pickering Museum Village Request to De-Accession Quarry Engine Date: May 3, 2005 Page 2 Financial Implications: The Ontario Steam Heritage Museum will be responsible for all costs to remove and relocate the Quarry Engine from the Pickering Museum Village to their location, Background: The Pickering Museum Village Advisory Committee recommend the deaccessioning of the quarry engine (photo attached) that is presently on a length of track just north of the steam shed on the Museum site. The quarry engine was built in 1919 by the Vulcan Iron Works in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania for a construction company in Illinois. The Vulcan Works operated from 1878-1957 and made over 5500 narrow-guage locomotives. In 1913, it was purchased by another construction company which had been hired to work on repairs and expansion of the Trent Canal system. It was at that time that it was used in a quarry near Kirkfield, Ontario. It was subsequently purchased by the Dufferin Construction Co. for use in a quarry near Burlington, Ontario. That quarry was opened in August 1921 to provide crushed stone for provincial highway construction. The engine was in use until the start of World War II when it was parked at the entrance to the quarry until it was donated to the Museum, circa 1972. At its February 8, 2005 meeting, the Pickering Museum Advisory Committee approved a motion recommending the quarry engine be deaccessioned and donated to the Ontario Steam Heritage Museum located in Puslinch, Ontario. This engine has been a subject of concern for staff and the Museum Advisory Committee for a number of years because of safety with children climbing on it and health factors associated with asbestos which has been encapsulated. The engine has no particular heritage significance to Pickering Township. The Gas & Steam Barn Volunteers have stated they do not have the time and funds available (estimated to be approximately $70,000 to restore the engine and make it operational) given other priorities in their area. The Ontario Steam Heritage Museum has an extensive collection and facility that is open to the public on several occasions each year. Once acquired by the Ontario Steam Heritage Museum, the quarry engine will be restored and be operational on a ¼ mile track on site. Their site includes a small limestone quarry. The quarry engine will then be available for public education and enjoyment. A plaque would be on display recognizing the City of Pickering and Pickering Museum Village donation. CORP0227-07/01 Report OES 13-05 Subject: Pickering Museum Village - Request to De-Accession Quarry Engine Date: May 3, 2005 Page 3 With approval from City Council, the Pickering Museum Advisory Committee and City staff would proceed to deaccession and donate the quarry engine to the Ontario Steam Heritage Museum. Attachments: Location Map. Photos of Quarry Engine. Prepared~~/~...... -s'~eph~n Re~noJ)ds~'--~ Division"l-~adi"Culture & Recreation Approved / Endorsed/~: Director, Operations & Emergency Services SR:mc Attachments Copy: Chief Administrative Officer Director, Corporate Services & Treasurer Recommended for the consideration of Pickering City ~oun¢it. , I Tt-~m&s J%Quinn/bhief A¢inistra~e O~cer ~ CORP0227-07/01 OPERATIONS & EMERGENCY SERVICES DEPARTMENT CULTURE g RECREATION DIVISION NTS May 4/2005 SIXTH CONCESSION ROAD REPORT TO COUNCIL J~ PICKERING MUSEUM VILLAGE DE-ACCESSION OF QUARRY ENGINE AND DONATION L:\MPondE\77mmatic Afopping\A~p~\O~ES - Culture 8: Recreotion\Attochment for Report\2005 C~:R-Report-O1.dwg