The New RAM - History III

Another background document on the federal funding for the new Royal Alberta Museum project, from the web: http://www.wd.gc.ca/eng/77_2953.asp

News Release

Government of Canada Invests in Capital Projects and Commemorative Events for Alberta Centennial

January 17, 2005

Edmonton, Alberta

The Government of Canada has committed up to $60 million to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the province of Alberta.
Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) and Canadian Heritage will lead Canada's centennial initiatives in Alberta. Western Economic Diversification Canada will deliver the capital legacy projects component and Canadian Heritage will deliver national and local celebrations, as well as commemoration initiatives.
"Since joining Confederation in 1905, Alberta has played an important role in the growth and development of our nation," said the Honourable Anne McLellan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness. "The Government of Canada is proud to play a part in recognizing the province's historical contributions and in helping to provide a lasting legacy that will allow Albertans and visitors alike to celebrate and learn about this great province, its culture and its people."
"Canada's centennial initiatives will put the spotlight on Alberta in 2005," said the Honourable Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport). "The capital legacy projects will leave a mark on the province for years to come, contributing to a stronger economic and social foundation for future generations."
"Alberta's centennial year presents a great opportunity to celebrate and to highlight the province's important contribution to Canada's economic, cultural, and social vitality," said Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for Status of Women Liza Frulla. "Canadians across the country are invited to take part in the celebration."
WD will deliver the $55.2 million in federal centennial funding allocated to capital legacy proje cts that Albertans and visitors alike can enjoy. Projects selected for funding include the Provincial Museum of Alberta, the Edmonton Art Gallery and the Glenbow Museum.
The Department of Canadian Heritage will provide up to $3. 5 million to support centennial commemoration and celebration initiatives. This funding will help finance various events, including Canada Day celebrations in Edmonton, and will allow non-governmental organizations to plan activities to mark Alberta's centennial.
The contributions announced in Alberta and Saskatchewan are in addition to the $1.4 million that Canadian Heritage will provide for the Royal Visit scheduled for May 2005 in both provinces.
The Government of Canada has a history of recognizing and celebrating national milestones including the 100th anniversary of Confederation in 1967 and other provincial centennials. "Canada from East to West" is the theme for 2005 national celebrations, acknowledging the centennials of Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Funding for this initiative is provided for in the Government of Canada fiscal framework.

For additional information, contact:
Donna Kinley
A/Manager, Consultation, Marketing and Communications
Western Economic Diversification
Canada
Phone: (780) 495-6892
Alexander Swann
Director of Communications
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Phone: (613) 991-2863
Jean-Philippe Côté
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for
Status of Women
(819) 997-7788

WD Toll-Free Number:1-888-338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-877-303-3388
WD Website: www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
Subscribe to news releases and keep up-to-date on the latest from WD.

The New RAM - History II

More on the history of federal funding for the new Royal Alberta Museum.

 

Museum, art gallery get $60M funding boost: $1 million for Lt.-Gov. of Alberta arts program

Tom Barrett. Edmonton Journal. Edmonton, Alta.: Jan 18, 2005. pg. B.3

EDMONTON - The Provincial Museum and the Edmonton Art Gallery received huge funding boosts Monday, as Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan announced approximately $60 million for Alberta centennial projects.

The museum will receive $30 million from the federal government to assist a massive revitalization that should begin by early next year. The project is expected to comfortably top the $100-million mark when the provincial government makes a further funding announcement during the Queen's visit in May.

The Edmonton Art Gallery will also get up to $10 million for renovations and the Glenbow Museum, the Museum of the Regiments, Heritage Park and the Alberta Children's Hospital, all in Calgary, will receive approximately $13 million for projects. Another $1 million will go to the Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta Arts Awards Program.

"All levels of government and all Albertans see this 100th anniversary as an opportunity for us to take stock in terms of where we've been and where we want to go," McLellan said. She expressed particular joy about the government's contribution to the arts award program, in light of Lois Hole's death a week ago.

"On behalf of a grieving province I especially want to welcome the matching grant for the Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta Arts Award," said Gary Mar, Alberta Community Development minister. "The people of Alberta accept it in memory of a grand and gracious lady, he added, his voice breaking.

"It's an exciting day for Alberta, but I think Edmontonians in particular should feel pretty good about the federal contributions," said Provincial Museum director Bruce McGillivary. "One of our most exciting plans is to make this into the gateway to the river valley," he added. "Right now we kind of hide the river valley. In my view we have one of the best scenic outlooks of any place in the city, but the view is blocked." McGillivary says trails or even a funicular, a kind of outdoor elevator, should be used to connect the museum and the river valley. "I'd like to make this a four seasons destination," he added.

Museum officials also plan to construct an underground parkade and recapture the green space taken up now by an outdoor parking lot, possibly with interpretive gardens. There will be many new exhibits, possibly displaying the development of the ice age, for example.

McLellan, Mar and McGillivary all noted the museum is the ideal choice for centennial money. It was built in 1967 to celebrate Canada's centennial and contains stonework from all the other provinces. Mar said the province would announce a substantial increase to the $21 million already budgeted for the museum's renovation. McGillivary noted that similar projects in Toronto and other major cities cost $150 million or more and said a suggestion of $130 million was "getting warmer."

Edmonton Art Gallery director Tony Luppino may have been the happiest man at the press conference with up to $10 million in federal money in hand for a renovation and expansion on the site beside Winston Churchill Square. "It's terrific," he said. "It really takes us where we need to be. We have so many supporters who want to help but need to know the building's going to happen. Now they know."

The New RAM - History

Announcement today, April 7, 2011, of a new Royal Alberta Museum in downtown Edmonton. Where did federal funding come from? Below, Edmonton Journal article from January 16, 2005:

 

Feds sink $30M into museum

Archie McLean. Edmonton Journal. Edmonton, Alta.: Jan 16, 2005. pg. A.3

EDMONTON -- The federal government will hand out $60 million Monday to celebrate Alberta's centennial, including $30 million for long-awaited improvements to the provincial museum, sources said Saturday. An announcement is expected to be made at the museum on Monday by Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan."I can confirm the figure of $60 million for centennial projects," a source said, speaking on condition of anonymity. At least half of that money is for upgrades to the museum, he said.

The provincial government is expected to at least match Ottawa's $30-million contribution to the museum as part of the province's $300-million budget for centennial celebrations.The museum will be renamed the Royal Alberta Museum by Queen Elizabeth during her tour of the province in May.

An expansion of the museum has long been a priority for the provincial government. But since an announcement was first made in the spring of 2003, little has been revealed about concrete plans for the 37-year-old complex. While still secret, they are expected to include a major face- lift to the building, and new buildings overlooking the river valley. A proposal to move the museum downtown to the old Hudson's Bay building was floated last summer by a group of local community and business leaders. But that was ruled out by Gene Zwozdesky, then minister of community development.

The federal centennial cash comes through the Western Economic Diversification program, but was turned over to McLellan to decide where it should be spent. Calgary is in line for its own multi-million-dollar grant to upgrade its Glenbow museum, but will receive less money than Edmonton. Sources, conscious of the rivalry between the two cities, emphasize that the spending decisions have been made in consultation with the provincial Tories, who designated the provincial museum as the top priority.

The rest of Alberta can expect at least $5 million from Heritage Canada to enhance Canada Day celebrations as the province kicks off a summer-long celebration leading to the Sept. 1 anniversary. Later Monday, the Royal Canadian Mint will unveil plans to produce a coin or series of coins in honour of Alberta, as well as Saskatchewan, which also turns 100 this year.

With files from the Calgary Herald and Don Martin, CanWest News Service