Frequently Asked Questions

• The Royal BC Museum will remain at the downtown Victoria location.
• The B.C. government is building a new state-of-the-art facility in Colwood to house the Museum’s collections, research departments and the BC Archives.

• The B.C. government is committed to modernizing the museum space downtown and expects to make its decision on the scope of the project in 2021/22.

• Yes, the building will be open to the public.
• People will be able to view artifacts and displays, watch researchers at work through accessible lab areas, and engage with museum staff on site and online in the media centre.
• People will also be able to participate in a range of free and paid learning opportunities, both in-person and online.

• No, the main Museum will host exhibitions.
• The Collections and Research Building will house the Royal BC Museum’s vast collections, and make it easier for people to access them.
• Once built the Collections and Research Building will be open to the public.
• People will be able to view artifacts and displays, watch researchers at work through accessible lab areas, and engage with Museum staff on site and online in the media centre.

• The B.C. government chose the Royal Bay site based on multiple factors including its proximity to the downtown museum, the readiness of the site and the cost to taxpayers.
• The new site reduces the potential risk to the collections from seismic events including tsunami.
• It means the government can build a purpose-built facility that meets international best practices and standards.
• The Royal BC Mseum will engage with the community throughout the project.

• The B.C. government expects to break ground in 2022 and open to the public in 2025.
• In 2020 crews began preparing the site for construction including surveying and earthworks.
• The government opened the procurement process on June 24, 2021.

• The Collections and Research Building will feature outdoor learning spaces with native plants featured in the landscaping.
• People can learn more about biodiversity, the interconnectedness of things, through interdisciplinary programs and exploring the outdoor space.
• The Collections and Research Building will use mass timber construction. Mass timber products come from a renewable resource, and wood products from B.C. are from sustainably managed forests.
• The Collections and Research Building will be in line with CleanBC energy efficiency standards.

• People will also be able to participate in a range of free and paid learning opportunities, both in-person and online.
• The building will have indoor learning labs (classrooms) as well as outdoor learning spaces with native plants featured in the landscaping.

Here are some examples of the types of learning opportunities that may be available:

• Families can come and view select items from the collection.
• People who want to learn more about objects in the collection can connect through the media centre to other learners around the province and the country.
• Students can come on field trips to get special lectures and guided tours from curators.
• Researchers from across the province and around the world can come, collaborate and work with items from the collections.
• People can learn more about biodiversity, the interconnectedness of things, through interdisciplinary programs and exploring the outdoor space.

• Construction of the Collections and Research Building will generate:
  • Approximately 644 direct construction jobs during design, construction and exhibition fit out.
  • Approximately 325 indirect jobs such as engineering, manufacturing, wholesale trade and other related services.

• The B.C. government will choose the preferred proponent, which will be responsible for designing and building the facility. Once the proponent is determined, it will be their responsibility to hire workers.
• Opportunities for local contractors and suppliers to promote their services to the three proponent teams participating in the Request for Proposals (RFP) stage will be made available through a business-to-business network event.
• If you are interested in working at the Royal BC Museum, visit their careers page.
• If you are interested in business opportunities on the project, visit BC Bid.