About us
The Panmure Island Lighthouse Association (PILA) was formed in 1996 by a small group of dedicated community volunteers with a specific goal to “save” the Panmure lighthouse from being demolished or allowed to fall into decay. Shortly after this, the Association was formed and an arrangement struck with the Federal Government (DFO) to lease the ground floor of the lighthouse. Beginning in 1996, PILA began operating a gift shop on the ground floor and providing access allowing visitors to climb the lighthouse tower.
In 2012, the Association applied to have the lighthouse officially declared a heritage building. In 2013 Official Heritage Status was granted and, a few months later, the Association submitted a comprehensive business plan to the Federal Government as a first step in acquiring ownership of the lighthouse.
In 2015, after several years of negotiations and work by dedicated volunteers, the Federal Government agreed to sell the Panmure Head Lighthouse to the local community Association. The Final Sale and Transfer of ownership occurred in December 2015 and included a one-time grant of $ 83,000 to assist with restoration costs and capital improvements to the site. As part of the transfer agreement, PILA agreed to maintain the lighthouse for “public enjoyment” for a period of not less than 30 years, and to undertake restoration efforts in keeping with strict heritage guidelines.
By the middle of December 2015, the actual restoration work of the lighthouse began, and by the summer of 2016 many of the major restoration projects were completed.
In 2012, the Association applied to have the lighthouse officially declared a heritage building. In 2013 Official Heritage Status was granted and, a few months later, the Association submitted a comprehensive business plan to the Federal Government as a first step in acquiring ownership of the lighthouse.
In 2015, after several years of negotiations and work by dedicated volunteers, the Federal Government agreed to sell the Panmure Head Lighthouse to the local community Association. The Final Sale and Transfer of ownership occurred in December 2015 and included a one-time grant of $ 83,000 to assist with restoration costs and capital improvements to the site. As part of the transfer agreement, PILA agreed to maintain the lighthouse for “public enjoyment” for a period of not less than 30 years, and to undertake restoration efforts in keeping with strict heritage guidelines.
By the middle of December 2015, the actual restoration work of the lighthouse began, and by the summer of 2016 many of the major restoration projects were completed.
Board of Directors
The Association is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. The Directors meet regularly, on the second Wednesday of each month, at Active Communities in Montague (from April thru December), to review lighthouse operations and set priorities and directions for the Association.
Directors are elected each year at the Association’s Annual General Meeting. Any member having an interest in governance of the Association is encouraged to consider putting their name forward for election at the AGM.
Directors are elected each year at the Association’s Annual General Meeting. Any member having an interest in governance of the Association is encouraged to consider putting their name forward for election at the AGM.