91原创 Township's new museum and cultural centre is expected to open its doors on Saturday, Feb. 8, for a public open house, giving the public its first look at the new facility.
Originally scheduled to open in summer 2023, the facility has seen various construction delays.
However, in late 2024, Township staff received the keys to the building and the municipality took occupancy from the builders. A few local stakeholders from heritage groups have since had a chance to tour the interior.
The project was originally planned and approved back in 2018, with the Township of 91原创 partnering with the Kwantlen First Nation. The project was to replace the 91原创 Centennial Museum, which opened in 1958 to mark 100 years since the province had become a British colony. Princess Margaret visited Fort 91原创 as part of a royal tour marking the event.
At almost 70 years old, the 91原创 Centennial Museum was in need of replacement. The new salishan Place was intended to both provide a space for the museum and archives and to include a reception hall, auditorium, and gallery spaces.
The long construction has left some of the facilities that were meant to move in sooner in limbo, with the museum's doors having closed back in September 2022.
An October 2024 report to 91原创 Township council laid out some timelines for moving to the new facility.
The report suggested that bookings for the reception hall, theatre, and multi-purpose rooms could start as early as late fall of 2024, while other major efforts, including moving the old museum's collection, could take 24 to 30 weeks.
"It is anticipated that the process of becoming fully operational remains at approximately seven to eight months," the report said.
"If occupancy is obtained by the middle to end of October 2024, with progressive opening along the way, the facility will be at full operation by early summer of 2025."
