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
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