The $9 million expansion to the Royal Tyrrell Museum is on budget and on schedule for a spring grand opening.

Last week, provincial infrastructure minister Sandra Jansen toured the facility which appear to be taking shape to be a valuable new addition to the museum, which is Drumheller’s biggest tourist draw.

The expansion is roughly 1,100 square metres and it will make more space for the distance learning center and additional classroom and laboratory space. It will feature a large multi-purpose room that can be used for programming and conferences. It will also expand on improvements that make visits a more positive experience including accessible washroom facilities, including a gender-neutral bathroom,  a hands-on discovery room, and a family rest area.

Museum executive director Andrew Neuman says each element of the project is exciting for the institution.

“The whole idea of having a rest and rejuvenation area is what caught my interest in the beginning, but this interactive space which will replace the old one will be popular, not just for kids but for adults, too,” he says, adding the multipurpose space will afford them flexibility on different programs and events.

“It is an absolute delight to come out and see projects like this… One of the great things when you come out here you have a chance to come down into this valley, and you see the topography and all of the wonderful landscape, you realize what a wonderful little part of Alberta this is,” Jansen said at the museum.

The project has been a long time coming, and in the spring of 2016, the Alberta government committed to a budget for the project. The federal government is also contributing $3.95 million to the $9.3 million renovations. Last summer, Lear Construction was selected as the contractor.

After a busy season of filming in the Drumheller area, plans are already being made to continue this trend next year.

Drumheller and area has served as a backdrop for a number of motion picture projects over the last year. There has been everything from independent productions to Netflix series.

One group that was here as independent will be back this summer with a new production, this time with some studio backing.

Griffin Cork of Numera FIlms was here this summer shooting “Abracadavers,” a web and television based comedy. He tells the Mail that this coming summer, “Gladiatrix: Crescent Moon” will be shot in Alberta, and will feature Drumheller.

“The entire film will be shot in Drumheller from June 1 - July 15. We selected Drumheller because of the beautiful landscapes which perfectly match those in the screenplay and novel, but yeah, we are filming the entire feature film in Drumheller.” said Cork.”Personally, from the experience, Numera Films had nothing but a perfect time in Drumheller with Abracadavers, which did not surprise us.”

The Gladiatrix screenplay is written by Shaun Donnelly and is based on a novel by author Cynthia Vespia. Edmonton-based TV and film studio Mind Engine.

Entertainment has signed a deal with Hollywood Media Bridge to produce the film.  According to a press release, Hollywood Media Bridge is located on the Universal Pictures lot and has secured studio distribution for the film which will be directed by Calgary director Sandi Somers.

  Cork says their experience in the valley was positive. They worked closely with John Barry Graham on “Abracadavers.”

“We had some of our crew members that had worked on previous productions out here (like The Northlander) that stayed in the exact accommodations that put us up and raved to us about accommodating the people and the community of Drumheller. And that was the same experience we had. The restaurants and bars our team frequented were warm and open, and our lodgings were just luxurious. We had spent so much time in motels across the province, and Drumheller was such a step up,” said Cork.