It was an emotional opening for the Qualicum Beach Museum on Saturday, as Art Skipsey took his leave as longtime president of the facility.
However, Skipsey, who takes on a new role as past-president, didn’t take up his valuable time at the microphone to wax too long about the past.
Instead, the former mayor of Qualicum Beach looked to the future, stressing the need to raise funds for a proposed expansion of the museum to house the world-class fossil collection of local paleontologist Graham Beard.
To this end, Skipsey urged the approximately 40 people in attendance to get on board with this weekend’s fundraiser golf tournament, to be held at the Arrowsmith Golf Club on Saturday.
“Recruitment has been slow,” Skipsey said. “We need another 60 golfers.”
The tournament, Skipsey added, not only raises money for the addition, but also brings in money for day to day operations.
He noted registration forms for the tourney are available at Mulberry Bush Bookstore in Qualicum Beach, at Arrowsmith Golf Course and at the museum.
Skipsey’s concern for the future didn’t keep the current mayor, Teunis Westbroek from taking a walk down memory lane and thanking Skipsey for his many years of service — to the museum and the community as a whole.
Following the speeches, participants enjoyed refreshments and then toured the facility.