The state government has secured the immediate future of the Australian Prospectors and Miners Hall of Fame (APMHF) in Kalgoorlie-Boulder, today signing a $290,000 rescue package.
Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore officially signed the rescue agreement today after weeks of high-level talks to determine the fate of the financially troubled Hall of Fame.
In February, the state government pledged to try and save the Hall of Fame after it became aware of the severity of financial difficulties facing the popular tourist facility.
"The State Government's willingness to provide a rescue package shows the importance it places on the APMHF," Mr Moore said.
"The Hall of Fame is not only important to Kalgoorlie-Boulder, it is also important to Western Australia and Australia as a showcase for the history of mining in this country.
"The funds will allow the APMHF's board to ensure the hall's long-term sustainability."
The minister said the board had agreed to a number of conditions related to matching support funding from sponsors and the treatment of two bank loans.
"Following these initial requirements, other conditions will apply as part of the rescue package including a restructure of the board to better reflect the wider Australian mining and resource industry," he said.
APMHF chief executive officer Andrew Govey said the Hall of Fame would most likely have gone into receivership without the state government's support.
"The State Government's interest served as a catalyst for industry so we could go out and raise an added $290,000 to match the Government's funding," Mr Govey said.
"It means we have time to continue to work on our business plan and develop the site to a point where it can become economically viable in the future.
Eyre MLA Graham Jacobs and Kalgoorlie MLA John Bowler had also expressed great support for keeping the Hall of Fame open.
"I had a personal interest in safeguarding the future of the Hall of Fame and am pleased the Minister has appointed a taskforce to develop a plan for the future," Mr Jacobs said.
Mr Bowler said it was expected that renewed vision and direction would ensure the Hall of Fame became more successful as a Goldfields attraction.
