Contract Awarded For RBCM Collections, Research Building

Construction will begin this summer on the Royal BC Museum's 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 dollar contract has been awarded for the design and construction of the collections and research building in Colwood.

The new 15,200-square-metre (163,611 square feet) 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 1% of the Province's vast collection is accessible to the public.

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.

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