New canoe museum groundbreaking delayed

The Canadian Canoe Museum has pledges for more than 70 per cent of the $65 million needed to build a new facility — but the groundbreaking is somewhat delayed.

Jon Ronson, chairperson of the museum’s board, said he expects construction to start sometime in the latter half of 2020 and take more than two years. It means the new museum — which is going on Parks Canada property next to the Peterborough Lift Lock — won’t likely be open until 2023.

About 3 1/2 years ago, when the museum selected a design for its new facility, it was hoped that construction could begin in late 2017 and be nearly ready to open by now.

But in an interview, Ronson called it “a big, complex project” that requires time.

“It’s very multidimensional,” he said. “And under the circumstances, we’re very pleased with the pace it’s moving forward.”

Meanwhile Ronson said the museum has more than $45 million pledged toward its fundraising goal of $65 million, and they will soon be seeking a construction firm for the job.

The federal government announced in April it will contribute $10 million to support construction of the new museum, in addition to the $1.4 million it offered earlier to help with pre-construction expenses.

The province has pledged $9 million, the city $4 million and the county $500,000.

There have also been large gifts such as a $7.5-million donation from the W. Garfield Weston Foundation.

The new museum will house a collection of more than 600 canoes, kayaks and paddled watercraft. It will replace the current one on Monaghan Road, which will go up for sale.

The visitors centre that currently stands next to the Peterborough Lift Lock will be demolished and replaced with the new museum.

The design for the new museum is from the Irish architectural firm Heneghan Peng, along with the Toronto firm Kearns Mancini Architects. It calls for a one-storey building with a green roof and rooftop gardens.