Back after several years of cancelled in person events, The Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre (CFDC) 6th "Dig Deep Gala" brought the community out for a fun evening learning about the past and present activities and future plans for the museum.
CFDC Executive Director Adolfo Cuetara shared a special opening for the night.
"The first thing was the presentation of the Lifetime membership to Ted Nelson. After 30 years of volunteering and working in the museum in different positions: at the Board of Directors, Treasurer, Secretary, and a lot of positions and working actively in the dig sites and in the museum, we presented this lifetime membership to Ted Nelson."
While there was an opportunity for gala guests to buy raffle tickets to win unique replicas of dinosaurs, some never seen or made before, Cuetara said the night was not a fundraiser. The purpose of the gala was to update the community on the work of the CFDC, past and present, and share future plans.
"I did a presentation of the new facility project that we have underway now. We wanted to do this presentation for the community and to explain a little about how we are doing this, what we intend to do, and at what point in the process we are. It is truly important for us to engage with the local community. We need the active support of the local community."
The facility is projected to cost up to $60 million, for a state-of-the-art Museum, to be placed on 23, 000 square feet of land, already allocated by the City of Morden.
Cuetara shared "We are now in the process of commissioning a Fundraising Campaign Feasibility Study, which will determine our capacity to raise local funds."
Next, the guest speaker received a prestigious award at the gala.
"Our special guest was Michael Caldwell, who was the recipient of the 3rd Elizabeth (Betsy) Nicholls award, for his work in the world of Paleontology. Michael is a Canadian paleontologist. He's currently a professor at the University of Alberta. He is probably the only academic paleontologist in the world to specialize in mosasaurs."
Caldwell took a tour of Morden earlier in the day, making sure to stop off at the dinosaur tourist attractions in the city.
Cuetara expressed his gratitude to the many sponsors who made the gala possible, especially to Travel Manitoba for their contribution to close the night.
"Last thing was a very good and nice video Travel Manitoba did for us to try to connect with the community and to let them know the reasons they have to be proud of what they have in this museum in Morden."
Dig site tours are being booked for the coming year. Click here for more information.
