The Simcoe County Museum in Midhurst will close from November to March for renovations, saving about two per cent of its $16.6-million cost and allowing the construction to be completed more quickly, councillors heard Tuesday.
Simcoe County councillors received a report on the local facility’s temporary closure, with no discussion, at this week's committee of the whole meeting.
The Matthews Innovation and Transportation Gallery Project construction is scheduled to begin in late October. Its construction manager has recommended a public closure from November 2024 to March 2025.
This will greatly reduce the need for phasing of the project, allowing the interior renovation and construction work to be completed more quickly and efficiently, while also resulting in an estimated two per cent cost reduction in the total project.
Phasing was originally considered as a requirement of construction, in order to keep the museum open during the work.
However, in discussions with the construction team, it’s been determined there could be as much as a two per cent, or $332,000 based on total project budget of $16.6 million, in cost savings if the building could be closed during key parts of the construction — most notably during the washroom renovations and when the existing building is tied into the new expansion.
Potential admission and program revenue loss based on 2023 data is approximately $58,000 and there is a potential lost attendance of 8,700 visitors, stated the report.
“However, staff are planning to operate outreach programming at schools throughout the county during this time, and open the skate trail during the winter months, so the potential losses in admission and revenue are expected to be less than this figure,” said Simcoe County Museum curator Kelley Swift Jones, who prepared the report.
“During the closure, staff will continue to work on the full slate of major projects and activities that need to be completed as part of this project,” she explained. “This includes packing, rehousing and documenting the collections that will be moved as well as researching, developing and building two major permanent exhibition installations — the People’s Gallery and the new Innovation Gallery.”
In addition, staff will operate the skate trail, conduct outreach programs in Simcoe County communities and schools, and develop new programs and events to support the new exhibitions and themes. Staff would work onsite at the museum whenever possible, and at the County of Simcoe administration centre located across the road, when construction prohibits access to the building.
The Matthews Innovation and Transportation Gallery plan includes a number of upgrades to the existing museum during a seven-year period, including improved gallery space and visitor experience, an environmentally friendly design with a zero-carbon building, improved security for temporary exhibits, and a more efficient room for meetings and special events.
Occurring in three phases, this expansion will begin with its most ambitious project – the 5,000 square foot Matthews Innovation and Transportation Gallery and a 2,300-square-foot space for curatorial functions and collections storage.
An additional 2,633-sq.-ft. mezzanine overlooking the new gallery will provide opportunities for additional themed exhibitions, as well as interpretive and programming space.
The Matthews Innovation and Transportation Gallery is named in honour of Simcoe County Museum’s largest-ever donor, Charles Matthews, whose bequest of almost $5 million will allow the museum to better display and care for museum collections, highlight Simcoe County’s historical innovation and provide enhanced cultural and heritage experiences for residents and visitors.
