NDP leader wants to turn Fanningbank into museum

P.E.I. NDP Leader Mike Redmond wants the Lieutenant Governor's residence, known as Fanningbank, turned into a new provincial museum by 2017.

Redmond noted there are a few other provinces that do not have official Government House residences. 

He claims Fanningbank is currently open to the public primarily for July and August, with the rest of the year being used at the disposal of the Lieutenant Governor's family.

Government house officials told CBC News public functions and socials are held there every week, as well as numerous tours. They note last fall alone, 957 students were there as part of school tours.

But Redmond said if enough NDP MLAs are elected in the next election, Islanders and tourists will enjoy a new provincial museum at Government House.

Founders Hall: 'Ready to go'

"We see this as a great chance to use a wonderful asset that the province owns, which is Fanningbank and build a provincial museum that the Liberal government didn't follow through on," said Redmond.

"And it's a wonderful asset in the middle of downtown Charlottetown between Beaconsfield and Victoria Park. It could be a wonderful opportunity tourism-wise, educational opportunities for our schools, so we see it as a win-win for everyone."

Redmond says an opening date of 2017 would provide plenty of time to scale back vice-regal operations and transition the family to new accommodations such as an apartment.

Public Works Minister Rob Vessey declined an interview.

But local Liberal MLA Richard Brown says Fanningbank would be a poor choice for a provincial museum and he would rather see it in Founder's Hall.

"I think the intent was always to convert this location into a provincial museum," said Brown.

"It's a facility that's already in place. It's 23,000 square feet, it's open space and it's ready to go for a museum."