Courtesy photo

Waste Management of North County, which operates in and provides waste and recycling service to the city of Oceanside, has donated $10,000 to the Oceanside Museum of Art for its museum expansion.

Two checks in the amount of $5,000 each, from Waste Management's WM Charitable Foundation and also the local Waste Management of North County hauling operation, were delivered to the museum's directors at the Honorary Committee Party recently. Ken Ryan, district manager of Waste Management of North County, and John Lusignan, who last year retired after 17 years as district manager and continues to remain active in the Oceanside community, presented the checks.

'With this gift and recent pledges, the museum is now within $70,000 of its total goal of $5.35 million,' said Skip Pahl, OMA's executive director. 'Construction on Phase One of the museum's expansion is scheduled for September of this year.'

Phase One of the museum's expansion consists of a two-story building designed by modernist architect Frederick Fisher on what is now the parking lot next to the present museum. It will house a gallery for rotating exhibitions, a gallery for the museum's permanent collection and an intimate gallery space selected by OMA's executive director to showcase the art of the region's diverse community. It will also contain a conference room and the museum's research library. A plaza leading into the lobby of the new building will direct visitors to the main entrance of the museum.

From left are Waste Management's John Lusignan and his wife, Sandy, Skip Pahl, OMA's executive director, and Suzy Ryan with husband, Ken, district manager for Waste Management of North County.