The Royal Tyrrell Museum is pleased to find that their plans for a major expansion has been approved by the province in their provincial budget which was released last week.

The Tyrrell has received $7 million this year and $2.3 million next year for building construction which will see the area near its learning centre expand with new interactive, conferencing, and concession spaces in a two story expansion project that had been largely been planned in 2013.

“We’ve been expecting that it would be approved at some point, but we weren’t sure it was coming at this particular time but we’re pleased,” said Tyrrell Executive Director Andrew Neuman.

The Tyrrell is looking at a two storey expansion that would be accessed from the learning centre and upstairs galleries and incorporate a number of different elements.

An additional casting lab is planned for the lower floor, with opportunities to expand the Tyrrell’s distance learning facilities and the addition of a multiuse space for scientific conferencing and meetings. The upper floor provides an opportunity to provide visitors with another break area with a smaller concession space, washrooms, seating, as well as additional interactive displays and exhibits, as Neuman says a common comment from visitors is the need for a break halfway through the gallery. 

“We had a couple of things in the front of the museum that addressed some of these issues but it was occurring at the beginning of the museum,” Neuman said, talking about the upcoming Foundations exhibit and the incorporated Fossils in Focus exhibit, “so we though we should add some more experiential spaces in the middle of the museum.”

The focus on user interactivity has been an initiative in the museum’s more recent exhibits and Neuman says this is a trend not only in museums, but of our times in general.

“Visitors say they’d like more hands on activities and interactives, things for the diversity of the market. We’re trying to make everything we do more accessible for people, as people are looking for the opportunity to interact with their surroundings in ways they never used to be able to.”

With the museum’s plans approved by the province, the Tyrrell will put a team together to revisit their two year old project submission in order to refamiliarize and finalize their vision in terms of the museum’s directive and in terms of today’s market. 

Alberta Infrastructure will run contracting and construction with the Tyrrell taking an advisory role in the expansion. 

Neuman said they expect some impact on visitor experience during construction but  do not expect major closures.

The expansion approval by the province comes after a record year in attendance for the Tyrrell in 2015, with over 400,000 visitors. Staycations in Alberta are up due to the economy and the sees tourism as one of the best returns on investment in terms of job and economic diversification.

“It seems as if people aren’t traveling as far and looking for fun and cost effective things to do with their families,” said Neuman. “There are also an awful lot of new Canadians in Calgary too – a lot of new people moving into communities and looking to experience their own backyard.”

There will be an official announcement in comings weeks in conjunction with the Alberta Infrastructure.

The Alberta government is proposing a bill to help seniors stay in their home longer, and in safer conditions.

Bill 5, the Seniors’ Home Adaptation and Repair Act went through third reading at the Legislature on April 13. This act featured a new low interest home equity loan program for seniors to make improvements to their home for safety and sustainability.

“Home should mean comfort and security for all of us. For many seniors, being able to remain in their homes for as long as they choose, or are physically able, is vital to their independence and quality of life. Our home adaptation and repair program would help seniors stay at home. This program addresses the needs and priorities of an aging population,” said Lori Sigurdson, Minister of Seniors and Housing. 

Tom Zariski, who sits on the board of the Drumheller and District Seniors Association, says it appears to be a positive program.

Any money directed towards making the increasing seniors population in our province achieve a higher quality of life is welcome,” he said.

 According to a press release, there would be approximately 145,000 households eligible for the program. Renovations that qualify include widening doorways or hallways, installing walk in tubs, roof replacement and electrical repairs 

While Zariski sees value, it is not the most pressing need in the valley and area.

“That being said, there is still a large infrastructure gap between seniors aging in their homes and needing hospital care,” he said. “There is a desperate need for Supported Living Level 4 accommodation where seniors who cannot live in their homes but do not require a hospital level of care are housed in a Lodge setting which provides a much higher quality of life than a hospital.”