Text Size
Bookmark and Share
Tourism, Culture and Recreation
Transportation and Works
January 18, 2012

Colonial Building Interior to Get Spruced Up in New Year

The restoration of the Colonial Building, the home of the province’s first legislature, continues with a $1.9 million contract for interior improvements and upgrades. The contract has been awarded to Anchorage Contracting Limited of St. John’s.

“The overall goal of this project is to respect the historical integrity of the Colonial Building and to follow current standards and best practices for historic building conservation,” said the Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. “Once completed, the Colonial Building will be a flagship Provincial Historic Site, a place where residents and visitors to the province can learn about our unique and colourful political history.”

The interior work, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2012, will include structural repairs, new plumbing, new electrical and new washrooms and the addition of an elevator. Work completed to date includes preparation of a comprehensive historic structure report, interior finishes investigation, consolidation of all plaster ceilings in the building on levels one and two, and the cleaning and restoration work of the two ceiling murals found in the principal rooms of the building. Architectural design is ongoing to develop tender packages for additional interior, exterior and landscaping work.

“It is important that our vibrant history be accessible to future generations, and that is what this restoration project is all about,” said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works. “Colonial Building is an important piece of our historical landscape, and this work will ensure the people of Newfoundland and Labrador and tourists alike can enjoy this property for years to come.”

With an anticipated opening of 2014, the newly-restored Colonial Building will be an interpretation centre, featuring the political history of Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as home to Provincial Historic Sites staff and a number of heritage-related not-for-profit organizations.

The Provincial Government has committed approximately $13 million to the total Colonial Building restoration budget of $22.3 million. This initiative is also being supported by the Government of Canada through the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund of the Building Canada plan. Since the introduction of the cultural strategy, Creative Newfoundland and Labrador: The Blueprint for Development and Investment in Culture (2006), over $56 million in new funding has been invested in the cultural and heritage sectors.

- 30 -

Media contacts:

Diana Quinton
Director of Communications
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709-729-0928, 631-8155
DianaQuinton@gov.nl.ca
Jason Card
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 699-0470
jasoncard@gov.nl.ca 

2012 01 18             12:15 p.m.

 
Last Updated:
This page and all contents are copyright, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, all rights reserved.