For Immediate Release - Feb, 4, 2010

BURLINGTON, ON – Burlington City Council on Feb. 1 approved the schematic design of a reconstruction project to create a new museum using an innovative green design that includes the historic Joseph Brant House.

In September 2009, the museum’s redevelopment management team worked with Morrison Hershfield Ltd. to hire Chamberlain Architectural Services Ltd. as the project’s design consultant.

“The project management team has worked hard to get where it is today, achieving an innovative and attractive design,” said Ward 1 Councillor Rick Craven who serves on the Burlington Museums’ Board. “It is our wish that our federal or provincial counterparts will recognize the many benefits of improving the city’s museum and preserving Burlington’s cultural history.”

The city approved a budget of $9.05 million for the project with a total city share of $2.12 million. The remainder is to come from other levels of government and the community. City Council voted to ask the federal government to make the museum a top priority when considering future infrastructure funding.

The museum drawings include 17,600 square feet (1,635 square metres) of interconnecting galleries, a green roof garden, a large entry lobby, and the positioning of the Joseph Brant House with the new building as an historic icon. The main museum galleries and public spaces in this LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building are on the first level with access from Lakeshore Road in the city’s downtown.

The report to council states that to become a major exhibition centre, the Joseph Brant House must make some significant improvements to safeguard artifacts and accommodate an increased number of visitors.

"This project has been the primary focus of the Burlington Museums’ Board for a number of years. All past and present board members can feel a sense of accomplishment as we move to the next phase of the project,” said board chair Larry Waldron. “When completed, this facility will be a major anchor, drawing visitors to Burlington and the waterfront area. We will finally have an exhibition centre to showcase Burlington Museums' vast and varied collections, as well as other touring exhibitions."

The new design includes galleries and public areas that are barrier-free. Staff areas on level two, the location of the green roof garden and the former ground floor of the Brant House, are accessible by using the new passenger elevator.

“This will be the greenest museum in Canada, boasting a LEED silver rating,” said Leo DeLoyde, the city’s general manager of development and infrastructure. “The Joseph Brant Museum will also feature a park on the roof of the main building, providing a gathering place that promotes both inside and outside use of the renovated museum.”

The project management team will host an open house in February. The project will go to tender in August, and the tender will be awarded in November 2010. The project is expected to be completed in 2011.

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Communications contact:
Donna Kell
Manager, Public Affairs
Phone: 905-335-7841
E-mail kelld@burlington.ca

Media contact:
Leo DeLoyde
General Manager, Development and Infrastructure
City of Burlington
Phone: 905-335-7600, ext. 7883
E-mail deloydel@burlington.ca