The Canadian Canoe Museum (CCM) has revealed the official grand opening date for its highly anticipated new museum. The new facility is set to open its doors in winter 2024, followed by a grand opening celebration in May. This announcement marks the culmination of extensive planning and signals a new era for both the CCM and the paddling community.
The unveiling of the new museum, initially planned for this fall, faced delays due to nationwide construction industry challenges. Issues such as material and labor availability, supply chain disruptions, and complex scheduling resulted in unavoidable setbacks in completing the impressive two-story, 65,000-square-foot museum and its five-acre lakefront campus.
The CCM and its project team remain steadfast in their commitment to ensuring the highest quality standards for the new museum, including a Class “A” controlled museum environment. The world-class facility is scheduled to open in winter 2024 and will host an official celebration after the ice melts, featuring the symbolic launch of canoes into the water.
This event will bring together donors, partners, members, volunteers, and esteemed dignitaries from coast to coast to coast. It will coincide with the beginning of the paddling season and mark the launch of the CCM’s full visitor experience, including on-water activities that honor Canada’s enduring paddling legacy.
The new museum will offer immersive experiences for visitors to explore the rich histories and diverse cultures of the canoe and kayak. Programming will include hands-on indoor and outdoor activities, guided tours, a peek into the integrated Collection Hall, artisan workshops, and food and drinks from the Silver Bean Café.
Furthermore, the new facility’s multipurpose room with stunning lake views will be available for rent for various community and corporate events.
The CCM is eager to welcome back teachers, students, and community members with customizable and curriculum-linked programs that utilize the outdoor campus year-round. Activities such as fire building, outdoor cooking, camping, plein air painting, and paddling skills will be offered.
The Lang Lakefront Campus will also offer on-water programming in the spring, including Voyageur canoe tours, canoe and kayak rentals, children’s day camps, adult paddling courses, and backcountry canoe trips throughout the summer.
Despite construction delays, the CCM recently achieved a significant milestone by moving over 100 canoes and kayaks into the new Exhibition Hall. This collection is of national significance and has garnered recognition for its cultural importance to Canada.
The CCM and its partners are actively relocating the remaining 500 watercraft to the new museum over the next two to three months, with support from Peterborough-based McWilliams Moving & Storage.
The Museum’s Inspiring Canada – by Canoe fundraising campaign continues to gather momentum, having reached 97% of its $40-million goal. Fundraising events held in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, and Peterborough, Ontario, demonstrate the nationwide support and enthusiasm for the new museum.
The new museum’s realization is made possible through contributions from lead donors, government partners, and sponsors, including the Government of Canada, the Weston Family Foundation, the City of Peterborough, Peterborough County, and the Province of Ontario.
For further information on the new museum, updates on its opening, or to make a donation to the fundraising campaign, visit canoemuseum.ca/new-museum.
(Written by: Scott Arnold)
