The historic Duncan Train Station has pulled into the lead in a national competition among heritage sites that could earn the landmark $50,000 in funding.
The station, which is operated by the Cowichan Historical Society and listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places, houses the Cowichan Valley Museum.
It’s one of 10 sites across the country vying for online support in the National Trust for Canada’s Next Great Save competition. Members of the public can vote once a day until voting closes at 11 a.m. on Feb. 22. The winner will be announced on Feb. 23.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Duncan station had almost 57,000 votes, ahead of La Vieille Maison in Meteghan, N.S., with almost 42,600 votes.
If the Duncan station comes out on top, the $50,000 will be used for an upgrade and to reduce the station’s carbon footprint with such measures as installing energy-efficient heat pumps and upgrading insulation.
The upgrade would include painting, rebuilding brick chimneys, and fixing gutters and downspouts.
The station was first built in 1887 and replaced by the current building in 1912.
There are four B.C. sites on the list of competitors, but the Duncan station is the only one on Vancouver Island.
“The press coverage has been fantastic,” said Cowichan Historical Society vice-president Sheila Kitson. “Every time the Duncan Train Station is highlighted, we get a surge of votes. We ask that people don’t become complacent and continue to vote daily.”
She said the station needs some TLC and the prize would be a great help. “We hope this is just the start on the quarter of a million dollars needed to restore the station to its former glory.”
The museum is open Thursdays and Fridays 11 a.m.-4 p.m. during the winter, but will have a special opening on Family Day Feb. 20 noon-3 p.m. as a thank-you to the community.
Support the Duncan station by visiting the museum’s website at cowichanvalleymuseum.bc.ca and clicking on the “vote” button. A confirmation email will be sent.
The other sites involved are Forward House in Iroquois, Ont., the Canadian National Railway Hope Station in Hope; Hudgin Log House in Milford, Ont.; the Rossland Drill Hall in Rossland, B.C.; St. John’s Stone Church in Saint John , N.B.; the Swallowtail Lighthouse in Grand Manan, N.B.; the Old Council House in Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation; and Turner House in Abbotsford.
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