Cold War era bunker may be sold

A huge underground bunker built near Truro to protect political leaders in the event of a nuclear war is now on the auction block.

The massive concrete underground structure was built to withstand the aftermath of a nuclear attack.

It became known as the Diefenbunker because it was part of a national defense strategy ordered by the Prime Minister of the day John Diefenbaker.

It's a symbol of the Cold War tensions of the 1960s' when the Soviet Union and the United States squared off.

A pharmaceutical company now has an option to buy the the bunker.

It comes complete with an amazing air filtering system designed to block dust and other impurities that follow a nuclear explosion.

There are also other companies who want the bunker to grow mushrooms, eels, even medical-grade marijuana.

But Sheila Crowe of the historical society in Debert says the bunker should be turned into a museum, partly because it is an icon of the Cold War Era , and partly because it has great tourist potential.

"It is difficult to get people to listen and to understand what an important part it has played in the world," says Crowe. "The actual building is still there and re-enactments could be done."

Crowe and members of the historical society appeared before the Veteran's Affairs Committee of the Provincial Legislature Thursday morning.

They told the committee they would need financial support in order to save it.

Politicians are considering it.

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