The Cochrane Historical and Preservation Society (CHAPS) has estimated last week’s museum flooding caused $40,000 to $48,000 in damages.
The estimate includes the cost of the emergency clean-up as well as the cost of rebuilding the basement, replacing office equipment, and repairing the landscaping around the building.
The flood occurred overnight on March 23 when the museum’s basement was submerged under three feet of water.
Volunteers and Cochrane Fire Services helped move items from the basement to the main floor of the museum.
An effort has been made to dry off and disinfect as many historical artifacts as possible.
“Some of the items we were able to salvage, but not all,” said Larry Want, president of CHAPS.
The museum is scheduled to open back up at the start of June.
Donations to help with the flood recovery effort are being accepted from anyone who is willing to contribute. Contributions can be sent directly to CHAPS via cheque or cash as well as online through the PayPal donation button on chapscochrane.com.
The CHAPS spring fundraising event will be held on Saturday, April 6 at the Cochrane Legion at 5 p.m.
Another fundraising event is being planned specifically to help with the costs incurred by the flood but there is no date set as of yet.
To donate or to purchase tickets to the April 6 fundraiser call Larry Want at (403) 932-4531 or Bernice Klotz at (403) 932-6507.
