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The province has awarded a contract for the design and construction of the Royal BC Museum’s new collections and research building.

Photo by Hannah Scott

Contract awarded for Royal BC Museum collections, research building

By Richmond Sentinel

Published 12:59 PST, Mon February 27, 2023

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Construction will begin this summer on the Royal BC Museum’s (RBCM) collections and research building as part of a long-term plan to protect the province’s collections that include more than seven million artifacts and the BC Archives.

A $204.8-million contract has been awarded to Maple Reinders Constructors Ltd. for the design and construction of the collections and research building (CRB) in Colwood, following a competitive design-build procurement process. Total capital project costs for the building are valued at more than $270 million.

“Our government is committed to protecting our province’s history today and for future generations,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, and Sport. “I am confident that this is the right step to take in securing our province’s invaluable history and ensuring more access for people. We look forward to working with Maple Reinders, the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations, and the City of Colwood on this historic new building.”

The new 15,200 square metre (163,611 square foot) building will be a state-of-the-art facility using mass timber that safely houses the province’s collections, BC Archives, and research departments. It will also provide dedicated research labs and learning spaces, as well as improving access to the collections for British Columbians. Currently, less than one per cent of the province’s vast collection is accessible to the public.

“Alongside the safe and modern storage of the collections and provincial records, the CRB will be a dynamic and welcoming community space,” said Alicia Dubois, chief executive officer of the Royal BC Museum. “We are thrilled with the design Maple Reinders has proposed and the alignment of our organizational values. We hope to inspire future paleontologists, entomologists, botanists, and historians through greater learning opportunities by enhancing public access to our work.”

Some of the items are at risk from flooding. They include: archival books and manuscripts; rare and priceless artworks, including watercolours from the 1700s; several paintings by Emily Carr; and early provincial maps.

Maple Reinders Constructors Ltd. is recognized for its expertise in delivering complex and sustainable projects across Canada for more than 55 years. The company has a long-standing commitment to building in partnership with local communities, and is partnered with Michael Green Architecture Inc., a British Columbia firm experienced in creating spaces that are sustainably built.

It is expected that ground will be broken in summer 2023 with an expected public opening in summer 2026.

To learn more about the Royal BC Museum modernization, visit royalbcmuseummodernization.ca/.