The federal government is investing $2.7 million in the relocation of the Armand-Frappier Museum, Centre d’interprétation des biosciences, to the current site of the Cosmodome in Laval, Que. The funding for the relocation, which is being provided through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, will allow the Armand-Frappier Museum to better meet the needs of the public by offering larger and more accessible spaces and welcoming more school groups.
The project involves the construction of a 1,224 square metre building next to Laval’s Cosmodome to house the museum, as well as the acquisition and installation of advanced and specialized museum equipment. The new facility will feature laboratories, exhibition halls and a multi-purpose room. The lobby, ticket office, gift shop and coatroom spaces will all be shared with the Cosmodome.
The museum’s goal is to facilitate the understanding of scientific issues related to life sciences and human health by offering educational activities to the public. Currently, the Centre offers exhibitions, laboratory activities, guided tours, workshops, science camps and other activities to its guests.
“The completion of this promising project will create a unique synergy between the Armand-Frappier Museum and the Cosmodome,” said the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, in a press release. “By combining their respective strengths, these two institutions will help the public learn and engage with the vast world of science. I hope that this collaboration will inspire other organizations to adopt similar innovative approaches to help facilitate increased access to culture.”
With this initiative, the City of Laval will be able to enhance the region’s cultural offerings and consolidate its science museum attractions.
“Stakeholders in the Armand-Frappier Museum are delighted with this funding, which will allow the municipality to complete the required financial package to equip the Museum with new facilities. We have been working enthusiastically for some time now to define this great project, which will see the Museum converted into the Armand-Frappier BioCentre,” added Guylaine Archambault, director general of the Armand-Frappier Museum. “We are convinced that these new facilities will provide an enhanced experience for our visitors, with the opportunity to explore the infinitely large at the Cosmodome, and the infinitely small at the BioCentre, all the while maintaining the human-scale educational approach that characterizes our institution.”
Construction on the new building is set to begin this month and will continue until May 2020, with an official opening scheduled for 2020.
