Dinosaur museum secures £500,000 for essential repairs and upgrades
Dinosaur Isle on the Isle of Wight houses a collection of dinosaur fossils
More than half a million pounds is being invested in Dinosaur Isle on the Isle of Wight — home of Britain's most important dinosaur collection, outside the national collection.
The museum which welcomes over 60,000 visitors a year has been awarded £498,000 from the Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND) following a successful bid by the Isle of Wight Council Heritage Service.
The council itself is contributing £180,000 towards the major project which will see the museum gain a new roof, new lighting in exhibition spaces, and the installation of heating and air conditioning.
Museum curator and general manager, Dr Martin Munt, said: "The staff at the museum are excited that we have received this vital funding which will help ensure the long-term care of our Island’s fabulous fossil heritage."
Located on Sandown seafront, the distinctive giant Pterodactyl-shaped building is home to more than 35,000 fossil specimens which record the 130 million year story of the island.
Dinosaur Isle opened in 2001 replacing the former geological museum above the library in Sandown.
Phil Gibby, area director, South West, Arts Council England, added: "We’re delighted to announce a further £2.5 million funding package for museums across the South West through our Museums and Estates Development Fund.
"From internationally significant pottery collections in St Ives to awe-inspiring fossils on the Isle of Wight, we’re helping institutions make vital repairs and care for their collections, so that culture remains open to all."