Home
Site Map | Français | Contact Us

Media Advisory

September 23, 2014 For immediate release

The Canada Science and Technology Museum will remain closed until at least January 2015

OTTAWA, September 23, 2014 – The Canada Science and Technology Museum (CSTM) will not reopen to the public in 2014. The exact reopening date remains unknown as the full evaluation of the required remediation work has not been completed.

The CSTM was closed to the public following the detection of unacceptable levels of airborne mould, caused by water infiltration into the South wall of the Museum, during its annual early-September maintenance week.

Since the closure of the Museum, Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation (CSTMC) management has been working with specialized contractors to assess the remediation work required. An initial assessment showed that the work required would take at least several weeks to perform, and it is now clear that the CSTM will not be ready to reopen before January 2015.

Staff has been redeployed throughout the CSTMC's facilities, including its two other museums, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum (CASM) and the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum (CAFM).

Museum representatives are currently contacting all those who had made reservations or had planned activities at the CSTM for the fall, to suggest and discuss possible alternative arrangements at the CSTMC's other museums, or process cancellations. The CSTMC plans to fulfill its commitments to members, sponsors, and partners through a variety of activities and opportunities over the coming months.

"We apologize for the inconvenience this period of closure may cause CSTM visitors who had planned activities, but the Government of Canada and CSTMC's top priority remains the health, safety and well-being of all who visit and work at the Museum," says CSTMC CEO Alex Benay. "We want to assure all those who support the Museum we are working with determination towards a complete, permanent solution to this unfortunate issue."

-30-

INFORMATION:

Olivier Bouffard
Media relations
613-410-5943