https://www.orilliamatters.com/local...t=mc_ori_local
The future of a proposed Gordon Lightfoot museum in Orillia is uncertain following the resignation of Pam Carter from the city’s working group dedicated to the project.
Carter, longtime president of the Mariposa Folk Festival, told OrilliaMatters she is out of the country and unavailable to speak on the matter, but noted that her resignation letter to council speaks for itself.
“I have resigned as I believe the Orillia Museum of Art and History (OMAH) has fulfilled the mandate of the city committee,” she said in an email.
In her letter, Carter explained she believed the committee’s work had been accomplished with OMAH’s acquisition of Lightfoot memorabilia and the renaming of Centennial Drive to Lightfoot Drive.
“It is unfortunate that we could not find a path via the Lightfoot estate executors to further fulfill the committee’s mandate,” she wrote. “However, I believe the overarching objective of honouring Gordon Lightfoot and keeping his memory alive in his hometown is well on its way of being met by OMAH.”
Mayor Don McIsaac said Carter’s decision did not come as a surprise and reflected the group’s lack of recent activity.
“It was just getting to the point where there was not a lot going on," he said. "We weren’t having meetings, and it was just time to move on to other stuff. She elected to resign, and we’re certainly fine. Pam has been very supportive, and I know we can rely on Pam if we need help."
Lightfoot, an iconic Orillia-born singer and song writer, died in 2023. Many had hoped Orillia would be able to create a museum in homage to the beloved singer.
McIsaac said while the group is still technically active, its future depends on the Lightfoot estate, which is currently preparing for a second and final auction of items.
“I’ve been in communication with the trustees of the estate as recently as two weeks ago, and they’re now preparing for a second final auction of stuff, at which point they will then be in a position to determine whether they have artifacts or anything from the estate that would come to Orillia."
McIsaac says he hopes to hear from the trustees in the next month or two.
"It's been slow," he said. "They’ve obviously had a lot of things to deal with, and dealing with us hasn’t been one of their priorities. But they have been keeping in touch."
He emphasized the project is not a current priority for council, and no city funds have been committed.
“If the estate comes back and has a bunch of stuff, then it could become a priority, provided it’s council’s will," he explained. "Certainly, the Orillia Museum of Art and History did, through a benefactor, pick up a number of Lightfoot items, so at least we have the benefit of that in Orillia."
He added that Carter’s position in the group will not be replaced for now.
“I think we’re just going to wait and see where the next steps are," he said. "If the estate comes back and says they've been through everything, and there’s really not much they can do, then it’s done. We just wrap it up, and that’s fine. If they came back and they’ve got a whole bunch of stuff, then we’ll examine it at that point."
McIsaac said he expects the matter to be resolved by the end of the year.
“The commitment I made was, if we do do a museum, we’d figure out a way to fund it outside of city coffers," he said. "But obviously we’d need city support."
Orillia LIGHTFOOT Museum news
