Critics blast province for old Alberta Museum’s demolition
Posted August 1, 2024 4:03 pm.
Last Updated August 1, 2024 4:14 pm.
The former Royal Alberta Museum building in Edmonton will be torn down to make way for a new green space.
However, the cost of razing this historical structure is estimated to be between $22 and $48 million, which includes abatement, demolition, civil works and engineering. The Government House and the Carriage House will remain on the site.
Why do so many North Americans destroy heritage sites?
— Duchess of Dirt (@Mom2364) August 1, 2024
Have they never gone to any European country, for instance, and marvel at the hundreds of year structures?
Check out countries all over the world!!
Such short sightedness!
Purpose-built in 1965, the old museum building in Glenora was open to the public in 1967. The museum, which had been named The Provincial Museum and Archives of Alberta, was renamed the Royal Alberta Museum when Queen Elizabeth II visited on May 24, 2005, as part of her visit to celebrate Alberta’s centennial.
This historical building has been vacant since 2015, and the new Royal Alberta Museum opened in downtown Edmonton in 2018, at the cost of $375.5 million.
Sad to hear the old Royal Alberta Museum is going to be demolished, wished there was more community engagement on this. I’m glad this space is going to be activated with community in mind but the architecture of this building NEEDS to be preserved. #ableg #abpolic pic.twitter.com/VBBl9b8kK8
— Rajah Maggay (@RajahMaggay) August 1, 2024
The province is holding an online survey to see what Albertans would like to see in the new green space. Consultation will also be done with Indigenous communities.
The province in a news release stated that after taking feedback from the community, the possibility of renovating the historical structure was investigated, however, the necessary repairs were found to be too costly. According to officials, the cost of deferred maintenance on the structure is estimated to be $75 million and the cost to repurpose the building for another use would have been at least $150 million.
