The Atlas Coal Mine is getting ready for its centennial season and will have a new leader at the helm.
The Museum has appointed Dr. Sarah Newstead as its Executive Director. She is a professor at the University of Leicester in the UK, specializing in industrial heritage sites. She will be starting in May.
“That’s what we are (industrial historical site) so it is a great fit,” said Jay Russell of the Atlas Coal Mine. “Her husband happens to be a blacksmith too.”
The Atlas is following up a successful season, marking their third best year, despite some challenges.
“We not only survived but we rose to the occasion and visitors had a fantastic experience. I am always so pleased with caliber and quality of staff that we hire. Usually half are locals and we find the kids from Nacmine or Rosebud can compete with anyone across the country,” said Russell.
He says they have already began recruiting staff for the upcoming season. He often looks for returning staff right away to make a commitment. The application deadline is in February.
One thing they are looking forward to is the centennial celebration of the Atlas Coal Mine.
“It’s our big year,” he exclaims, adding they will be marking the date, as well as a having a “summer of jubilation.”
“This will mark 100 years of the Atlas’ existence. They of course started in 1917 down in Newcastle and then moved here in 1928,” he said. “When the Atlas moved here in 1928, that was the same year that East Coulee became a town, so the Atlas was a big part of this.”
This year the Atlas is also expecting its 500,000 visitor.
“We know what number we are sitting at so we are going to hit the half-millionth visitor around Canada Day,” said Russell. “So we are planning something special.”
