Canadian Canoe Museum Provides Progress Update On New Museum; Delays Grand Opening

Progress updates outline that industry-wide construction challenges have delayed the Ashburnham Drive Canadian Canoe Museum’s (CCM) opening to late summer or early fall announced Thursday.

photo courtesy of the canadian canoe museum.

The CCM is creating a cultural destination to learn about Canada’s collective history, and reinforce connections to land, water and to one another through the lens of the canoe. The new museum will be located on a five-acre site with views of Little Lake and connection to the Trans Canada Trail and various public parks.

“It is an exciting time for the Canadian Canoe Museum. A little more than a year ago, we had just begun construction. Since then, we’ve achieved many milestones,” said executive director Carolyn Hyslop. “The building structure has come to life before our eyes, the mass timber façade is taking shape and the building is nearly closed in. Exhibits have been developed and are being sent to fabrication, the fundraising campaign is in its final stretch and the collection is nearly ready for its move across town.”

A national fundraising campaign has raised 95 percent of the project’s $40-million cost to date. The project is also made possible in part by the generous support of various local and national donors.

While they report steady progress has been made, the new museum’s opening will occur later than initially anticipated. The museum had originally hoped to welcome visitors in early summer 2023, but due to these delays the anticipated opening is now late summer or early fall.

CCM says the project is experiencing delays due to the pandemic and its ongoing impacts on the construction industry, affecting supply chains and material availability resulting in material shortages.

“As designers, we have seen unprecedented upheaval in the construction sector over the last two years. While there have been similar delays and supply chain issues on the CCM, through our integrated approach to project delivery, these have been minimized compared to other projects. We are pleased with the progress made and look forward to seeing the museum open to the public in 2023,” said managing principal at Lett Architects Inc. Bill Lett.

The CCM remains hopeful that the new museum will be able to celebrate its grand opening during paddling season.

“We are working very closely with the project team to recover the schedule delays, as we would be overjoyed to open earlier. With so much excitement and interest in the new museum, locally and nationally, we want to be transparent with our community about the timeline as we know many are planning trips to visit us this summer,” continued Hyslop.

To learn more about the new museum or to donate, visit the website.

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