by Another Cape Breton group that won a national contest to preserve its lighthouse says it’s also running into red tape in getting the money.
Last week, the Gabarus Lightkeepers’ Society said the 50-thousand dollars it won in the “This Lighthouse Matters” contest is on hold while it tries to reach an agreement with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
The Low Point Lighthouse Preservation Society won 75-thousand dollars in the same contest for its light at the mouth of Sydney Harbour.
However, the Low Point Society’s Debbie Lee Pearson says their group is also negotiating an agreement with DFO in order to get a work permit for the lighthouse site.
Pearson adds when the agreement is in place, they’ll only get half of the 75-thousand and will have to raise a certain amount of money before the other half is released.
Pearson goes on to say although the contest winnings help, they’ll still need a lot more money to complete the restoration work on the lighthouse.
She plans to meet tomorrow with representatives from all three levels of government to present a case for funding and adds she hopes they can start work on the lighthouse by late fall.