News Release 09 November 1999

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EUB TO CLOSE ENERGEUM VISITOR CENTRE AT END OF 1999

Calgary, Alberta (8 November 1999) The Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) wants to let Albertans know that it will close its Energeum visitor centre on December 23, 1999, after almost 18 years of service to the community.

The Energeum was opened in 1983 at a cost of $1.8 million. The centre tells Alberta's energy story through displays related to energy resources and their formation, production, transportation, and consumer end use, as well as the historical development of the industry. It has been one of the only institutions in Alberta that tells the story of Alberta's energy industry through hands-on exhibits and in-depth school programs.

The Energeum has educated and entertained 370,000 visitors since 1983. It was therefore not an easy decision to close the Energeum. Many of the displays are now over 15 years old and the cost of revitalizing the Energeum, estimated at $3-4 million, is too great for the EUB to bear alone. The EUB is hopeful that an alliance of potential supporters will emerge and continue to tell this important story in new and innovative ways.

To ensure a dignified and orderly closure, the displays and assets of the Energeum will be offered to other museums and interpretive centres throughout the province whose visitors can most benefit from them. Those institutions that are able to tell and extend the energy story will be targeted to receive Energeum materials. The process will be a thorough one that will benefit as many communities as possible.

The EUB supports energy education for our province's youth. We also believe this education should be a shared responsibility among industry, government, education, and community institutions. We have determined, however, that the Energeum is no longer core to the regulatory function of the EUB.

The EUB wishes to acknowledge the many local, provincial, national, and international visitors to the Energeum over the years. We also extend a special thanks to the hundreds of volunteers, school classes, teachers, and summer day camps and their helpers who have participated in Energeum education programs and events. Your ongoing support and feedback have been excellent.

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For more information, please contact:

NR99-22