Contract awarded for RBCM collections, research building (flickr.com)

Media Contacts

Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport

Media Relations
250 882-0918

Backgrounders

Facts about building costs

The capital project cost for the collections and research building is $270 million, representing a $45.6-million increase from the June 2021 budget estimate.

  • The new budget reflects the hot construction market during the pandemic, along with global inflation, which has caused significant pressures to projects around the world, including the escalating costs of materials and labour.
  • The budget increase is primarily a reflection of:
    • escalation on the design-build contract; and
    • extended project schedule, increasing planning, procurement and implementation costs.
  • Building a new, separate facility will ensure the collections are properly stored and safeguarded and meet international best practices and standards.
  • It is estimated the building will support economic recovery by creating approximately 1,000 direct and indirect jobs during construction, while creating demand for sustainable building materials, such as mass timber.