Spring 2009

In July 2008, £50,000 was secured from the Northwest Regional Development Agency to fund a masterplanning and feasibility study for the Museum.  The museum design and masterplanning consultants Metaphor, were commissioned to carry out the study and started work in August.  The study considers both the physical and artistic possibilities in creating the new museum, from how much space is required to display the boats (both in and out of the water), to different story options and how then to interpret the collection.  Other aspects considered in the planning were a learning centre, café/restaurant facilities, shop and administration space and also display spaces.  In addition to these elements, an onsite conservation unit has been factored in to the study.  A detailed specification for this unit was drawn up by Colin Henwood and this guided the consultants during the process, a comprehensive site survey was also produced which enabled the consultants to conduct accurate spatial studies of the site and collection.

The completion of this study now puts us in the position to begin approaching potential funders and begin the major task of fundraising for the project.  Whilst this long process is underway the LAT are hoping to create an interim conservation unit in the newly roofed Windermere Building and take on a conservator to begin and oversee the restoration of the collection.  It is also hoped that we will be able to allow limited public access to the site to enable people to see the collection and find out more about the project sometime later in the year.