Sault insectarium and heritage centre join forces with new 1-year deal

A new partnership between the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre and the Sault’s Entomica Insectarium hopes to benefit both centres and draw in most tourists to the city’s waterfront while stabilizing the insectarium’s economic uncertainty.

The sign for Entomica Insectarium in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. on June 5, 2024. (Cory Nordstrom/CTV News Northern Ontario)

With today’s announcement the Entomica Insectarium in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., will not be closing anytime soon.

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“We all can breathe a little bit easier and let's have a sigh of relief,” said John Dedes, the insectarium’s founder.

The one-year agreement between Entomica and the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre – which share a building – is preventing a lot of headaches and ‘heartaches’ for the insectarium which has struggled to remain financially viable in the years following the pandemic.

An undated photo of the exterior of the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. (File photo/Supplied/Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre)

“Things were really, really scary for us,” said Dedes.

“We didn't know if we were going to close and how we were going to get through all of this. We knew we had, you know, enough resources to get us through maybe a few months, five, six, seven months.”

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The City of Sault Ste. Marie offered some financial aid to Entomica last year – but this new agreement means the insectarium could significantly reduce its ask of the municipality.

As part of the deal, entry fees collected by both centre will benefit both organizations.

“They said, you know, we want to help you out with everything,” said Dedes.

“The bookkeeping, the marketing, the program, developing the merchandise, you know, purchasing and buying.”

The insectarium’s founder said the Bushplane centre has also offered to help with staff and training.

“It'll be better partnership so we can work more closely on education initiatives, for example, or be able to share resources or some revenues and be able to thrive as organizations,” said Jamie Hilsinger, the executive director of the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre.

Officials with both organizations told CTV News that formally strengthening the relationship between them also means it may be possible for them to make joint funding applications going forward.

“It is certainly an opportunity for us to partner where it can matter, but also remain as individuals, especially when you're going for things like funding,” said Hilsinger.

Both organizations said that they share and cater to similar audiences – people, especially families who are looking to learn.

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The timing of the new agreement was also ideal as it comes as Entomica is set to celebrate its 10th year of operation later this month.