The Bomber Command Museum of Canada, located in the town of Nanton, Alberta, has launched an ambitious $7.5 million fundraising campaign to finance a significant expansion of its facilities.
A New Home for a Historic Aircraft
The primary driver for this massive project is the need for more space to display a Halifax bomber, which is currently being restored in a specialized workshop in Ontario. This aircraft will join the museum's existing Lancaster bomber, a iconic aircraft from the Second World War.
Karl Kjarsgaard, who leads the museum's expansion committee, confirmed the efforts. The museum has already secured $1.5 million towards its goal. This includes a generous $1-million donation from an anonymous donor, a individual whose father served in the war and who has visited the museum on multiple occasions.
Funding a Vision for the Future
The non-profit organization is actively pursuing funding from various sources to make the expansion a reality. "We're heading in the right direction," Kjarsgaard stated, expressing optimism about the campaign's progress.
The museum has applied for grants from two foundations and is reaching out to other potential donors, including:
- Individual philanthropists
- Corporate sponsors
- The Alberta provincial government
- The federal government of Canada
Kjarsgaard described the effort as a worldwide initiative, with a particular focus on securing support within Alberta. For a more modest budget of $5.5 million, the museum also has a scaled-back version of the expansion plans. The goal is to gather the majority of the funds to begin construction in 2027.
Becoming a World-Class Attraction
A key objective for the Bomber Command Museum is to become the first museum in the world to display both a running Lancaster and a running Halifax bomber. The museum's Lancaster can already be taxied, and they aim to achieve the same operational status with the Halifax once it is complete.
The new 25,000-square-foot hangar is not just for aircraft. It is also designed to double as a convention centre, with a capacity for more than 1,000 people. "The museum's got to have income, and why not have groups coming in to have a major function at our museum with all of the ambiance and the atmosphere of World War Two," Kjarsgaard explained, highlighting the dual purpose of the space.
The expansion is crucial for the museum's growing collection. Kjarsgaard noted that other aircraft could be donated, but there is currently no space to house them. He has personally spent years searching for Halifax parts across the United Kingdom, a quest that recently led to the acquisition of two spare Hercules engines from the Royal Air Force Museum in London.
