Royal Alberta Museum project is ‘on budget and on time:’ Klimchuk
$340M facility to be completed by late 2017
Culture Minister Heather Klimchuk said Monday construction of the new Royal Alberta Museum is right on schedule.
“We are very much on budget and on time, and we’re very proud of that,” Klimchuk said. “Much work needs to be done but we’ll hope for a dry summer, to work even more.”
The $340-million museum will be north of Edmonton’s City Hall, near 100 Street and 104 Avenue. It is expected to be complete by late 2017.
Klimchuk acknowledged the contract with one design firm has been cancelled, after a CBC report last week in which New York-based designer Tom Hennes alleged he was fired because he wanted to consult with aboriginal groups before designing the room where aboriginal history is presented.
“We did have some individuals involved at the beginning of the process, the contract was concluded, and it was all totally within the contract, and we were able to conclude that contract,” Klimchuk said.
“Now we have an opportunity to engage some other folks to work on the human history, the natural history as well, and of course the children’s and the bug room.”
Klimchuk said consultations with aboriginal groups “began long before this project was in the ground.
“That’s very important to me, especially the story we need to tell of Aboriginal history in Alberta.”
Klimchuk also said “the discussion is still going on” regarding the cost of the pedway to connect the museum to the Churchill LRT.
In a news conference in an office building overlooking the site, Klimchuk highlighted the government’s $5-billion in capital spending in 2013-14, and noted that the 2014-19 capital plan calls for $19 billion in infrastructure spending for schools, roads and hospitals.
Of the $5 billion, $3.8 billion was borrowed; all of the $19 billion will be borrowed as well.
“Much work needs to be done but we’ll hope for a dry summer, to work even more.” HEATHER KLIMCHUK