Construction Begins On RBCM Collections And Research Building

Construction has begun on the Royal BC Museum’s (RBCM) collections and research building.

“It’s an important day as we move forward on a new collections and archives building that will properly store and safeguard our province’s shared history, priceless artifacts and archives,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport.

“I was honoured to witness the Shaker Faith workers bless and prepare the land of the CRB prior to construction. I look forward to working with the Royal BC Museum, Maple Reinders, the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations, and the City of Colwood on this important new building.”

The new 15,200 square-metre (164,000 square foot) building will be a state-of-the-art facility using mass timber that will safely house the Province’s collections and BC Archives.

It will improve access for the public as only 1% of the Province’s vast collection is on display. It will also provide dedicated research labs and learning spaces.

Tracey Drake, acting CEO, Royal BC Museum, says the facility will also provide a window into the world of the museum, enabling visitors to see their paleontologists, entomologists, botanists, zoologists and more, engaged in active research projects.

The project is costing about $270-million and it is expected that a substantial portion of work will be complete by fall 2025 with a public opening in 2026.

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

It is estimated the new building will create about 1,000 direct and indirect jobs during construction, while creating demand for sustainable building materials such as mass timber.

To learn more, visit Government of British Columbia.