Members are being sought to form a committee to oversee the restoration and relocation of two vessels made famous by The Beachcombers television series.
Gibsons Coun. David Croal told Coast Reporter he wants to establish the committee by mid-March, with about 10 positions needed, including a chair, and grant writing and financial reporting roles. Another person is needed to coordinate the boat restoration.
“We’ve got a bit of a time crunch because what we want to do is have enough lined up to have a ceremony to unveil the project in July,” said Croal.
July 30 marks the 30th anniversary of the series’ last day of filming. He wants the project completed in two years, which would coincide with the 50th anniversary of the show’s debut.
Last November, the Town granted Croal permission to strike a working group to oversee the restoration and relocation of the Persephone, which is owned by the Town and currently sits at Five Corners in Gibsons, overlooking Molly’s Lane. Plans also include acquiring, restoring and relocating a jet boat used in the show. Once formed, the committee would report to the Town.
Meanwhile, the owners of the site where the Persephone is currently located submitted an application to the Town for a commercial development.
The Sunshine Coast Museum and Archives has been proposed as a site for the boats, since the building and the land its situated on are owned by the Town. The building would have to be extended from the back to include a shelter for the boats, as well as an expanded Beachcombers exhibit that pays tribute to First Nations people who participated in the show, a screening room and archive storage, said Croal.
“I think it’s going to be a win-win for everyone because it’s going to draw people further into the community, since they’d have to go up the road,” Croal said.
People interested can contact Croal at: [email protected].
