The B.C. government has presented a business case for a new Royal BC Museum, which shows the $789.5-million cost of building a new museum on the current site in Victoria would be lower than repairing or upgrading the existing facilities. Replacing the museum on its current site was deemed the most effective option as the government moves to modernize the provincial museum – its structures and the stories it tells.
The timeline shows the removal of hazardous materials and demolition is set to begin in February of 2024 – several months before the next provincial election, which is scheduled to take place in October. BC Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon has said he would cancel the project, if elected.The plan was approved in March and announced publicly on May 13, to immediate and often intense public backlash.
Mr. Falcon, in a statement called the new museum a tone-deaf vanity project and said the business case failed to justify “such an out-of-touch expenditure.” Substandard loading bays and freight elevators have meant difficulty bringing touring exhibitions to Victoria. For instance, a Royal Ontario Museum whale exhibit was not able to travel to the RBCM because the blue whale’s skull could not fit into the elevator.
Along the way, they considered adding other elements to the project, including a hotel, office tower, street level shops and restaurants. Ultimately, these were deemed not core to the museum’s objectives. A child-care facility was also considered and ruled out.
Meanwhile some parts of downtown Vancouver looks like a crime scene from CSI. But let’s dump cash into a museum…good thinking.
The NDP need to award a juicy contract to their union supports before the next election, so the timing isn't surprising.
The documents
BC deserves a first class museum!