It would cost between $20,000 and $25,000 to spruce up the lighthouse. (Submitted by Gayle Hawker)

An iconic image of Canada's East Coast is crumbling — and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans said it cannot afford $25,000 for a makeover.

The paint is peeling off the lighthouse at Peggys Cove, near Halifax. In addition to the rust stains and crumbling concrete, the beloved 15-metre structure is losing its lustre.

"A lot of people are very annoyed at the shape it's in," said John Campbell, owner of the Sou'Wester Restaurant and Gift Shop next door.

"It's terrible for taking pictures. This is a focal point of Peggys Cove and it's one of the most photographed areas in Canada. And it looks terrible."

Peggys Cove is one of Nova Scotia's top tourist draws. About one million people visit the site every year, according to the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia (TIANS).

'It looks quite neglected, actually'

Honeymooners Dave and Cheryl Pridham headed straight to the rocky point after getting off the train from Ontario. The area is breathtaking, they said, but the lighthouse is another story.

"It looks quite neglected, actually," Dave told CBC News. "It looks like it could use a little TLC."

The lighthouse is the responsibility of the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Robert MacDonald, the department's real estate director for the Maritimes, said cosmetic repairs would cost between $20,000 and $25,000.

But that's too costly right now, he said.

"We recognize that Peggys Cove is an icon from a tourist point of view, but our funding is limited. We have about 70 of these structures throughout the Maritimes region, and it's difficult to keep up with the esthetic requirements of all the lighthouses," MacDonald said.

Darlene Grant Fiander, president of TIANS, just wants the work done soon, particularly with the cruise ship season about to begin.

She has been hearing complaints about the state of the lighthouse from tourism operators since the spring.

Much at stake: TIANS

"It's a no-brainer. The lighthouse needs to painted," said Grant Fiander, calling $25,000 a small bill for a big return on investment for the province.

"We have people coming just to go to Peggys Cove and the lighthouse is the image that is shown to sell Peggys Cove. So when you get there and you see the chipped paint and the condition, the impression of it is very poor."

MacDonald said DFO is willing to partner with local groups that are willing to provide the labour. However, he added, painting a lighthouse isn't a job for amateurs.

He said it may be next summer before DFO finds the time and money to spruce up the popular lighthouse.