A rendering of the new Manitoba Museum Rupert Street entrance during the day, with a copper-coloured awning sheltering the entrance stairs and an updated ramp with a guard rail next to full glass walls and entrance door into the foyer.

Manitoba Museum Construction

Welcome to the Manitoba Museum’s dedicated page for construction updates.

In the summer of 2024, the Manitoba Museum set forth on an exciting journey of transformation, beginning with significant upgrades to our Rupert Avenue entrance, followed by a comprehensive renovation of our foyer later in the year.

This page will act as your go-to resource for the latest updates on these projects, providing valuable information for our visitors, school groups, and volunteers.

Explore below to find detailed information about our construction projects, understand their impact, and discover how these changes will enhance your experience at the Manitoba Museum.

A rendering of the new Manitoba Museum Rupert Avenue entrance during the evening, with a copper-coloured awning with skylights and lighting sheltering the entrance stairs and an updated ramp with a guard rail.

What’s Changing?

Improved Visitor Experience
  • Expanded Space: The renovated entrance will provide more room for visitors, making entry and exit smoother. 
  • Enhanced Accessibility: We are upgrading our entrance ramp to meet accessibility standards, ensuring that everyone can easily access the entrance with a smooth pathway. 
  • New Concrete Stairs: The entrance stairs will be replaced with new concrete ones, improving safety and aesthetics.  
  • Guardrails and Handrails: The installation of guardrails and handrails enhances safety, especially during inclement weather. Visitors will feel more secure while using the stairs or ramp.  
  • Prominent Signage and Lighting: Clear, well-lit signage will help guide visitors to the main entrance and Planetarium signage will be updated to direct the community to the downstairs concourse level. 
  • Safety Improvements: The upgrades will include enhanced lighting, non-slip surfaces, and improved emergency exits.  
  • Removal of Dark Locations: Dark corners and poorly lit areas will be eliminated, enhancing safety and aesthetics.  
  • New Lighting: Natural light streaming through skylights and halo lighting will create a welcoming atmosphere.  
  • New Doors and Windows: Upgraded doors and windows improve insulation, security, and aesthetics. 
Rupert Entrance Upgrades Timeline

Phases – Please watch for regular updates as this is subject to change. 

  • Start Date: Early September 2024
  • Exterior Completion Date – Fall 2025
  • Total Completion – Fall 2025 
Museum Foyer Upgrades Timeline

Phases – Please watch for regular updates as this is subject to change. 

  • Start Date (Museum Shop Closure and Vestibule Demolition) – September 9, 2024
  • Phase 1 completion: Mid Summer 2025
  • Total completion: August 2025
A map displaying the Manitoba Museum from above with arrows directing pedestrians to the entrance on Main street.

Entry Location During Construction

During construction, the Rupert Avenue entrance will be closed, including the centre stairwell and ramps.

Visitors, staff, and volunteers will be redirected to the Main Street entrance. Look for the signs, follow the sidewalk markings, and watch for our friendly Museum Staff to guide you.

Get ready for your next visit by watching our video with directions to the Main Street entrance. Click here to view.

We’ll be sharing photos and videos about the changes to the entrance, with behind-the-scenes glimpses. Check out our progress gallery:

The south side of the museum foyer looking toward where the Box Office would be. Wiring is installed from teh Tyndall Stone on the back wall, and an orange ladder is folded back against the wall and a blue scissor lift is parked nearby. The ceiling is partial open, showing work on the lighting and intercom systems, and ceiling tiles are being replaced.

At the Box Office side of the Foyer, wiring has been placed for the info screens behind the Box Office desk and the ceiling tiles are being put back in place. May 2025. Image: Manitoba Museum

The north side of the Museum foyer under construction, with materials stacked about. The ceiling is uncovered, showing the pipes and vents, with original all light fixtures removed. New inter-com and light fixtures are being installed.

Inside, the intercom system is being wired back into the Foyer ceiling and preparation done for the new light fixtures. May 2025. Image: Manitoba Museum

Looking down and to the right towards a set of poured concrete stairs leading up to the Rupert Ave entrance. The stairs are blocked at each end with plywood and construction fencing. In the lower left part of an orange tarpaulin can be seen covering the stairs going down to the Concourse entrance.

The new concrete stairs leading up the the main Rupert Ave. entrance have been poured on either side of the lower-level Concourse stairwell. May 2025. Image: Manitoba Museum

View from outside the museum looking towards teh Rupert Ave entrance. The main exterior wall has been removed and is instead walled by plywood and tarpaulins. On the ground a level down, board and rebar are in place to form the base of the new entrance ramp.

Outside, the enclosed exterior wall has been removed to make room for the new window wall, and a base is being laid for the new entrance ramp. May 2025. Image: Manitoba Museum

Looking into an interior construction site, with materials stacked about. The ceiling is uncovered, showing the pipes and vents, with all light fixtures removed.

Work in the foyer continues! Pictured is where the Museum Shop and new Café will be located. April 2025. Image: Manitoba Museum

A construction worker holds back an orange tarp covering a cement stairwell leading down to a barricaded door.

The base of the stairs leading down the the Concourse level have been poured! April 2025. Image: Manitoba Museum

Two individuals wearing high vis vests over their work wear in a pit of a construction site. In the upper portion of the frame part of an orange tarp can be seen covering an area.

Piles for one of the new stairwells have been driven, as crews prepare to pour. April 2025. Image: Manitoba Museum

The old Foyer Box Office has been removed, as the Foyer renewal work continues. The Box Office has moved downstairs to the Concourse level, between the Planetarium and Science Gallery. We strongly recommend purchasing your tickets online in advance to avoid waiting in line. January 2025. Image: Manitoba Museum

Inside the hoarded off section of the Museum foyer which is now a constrcution site. The ceiling tailes have been removed, exposing the base of the ceiling. Workers in high-vis and hard hats move about the space.

Work in the Foyer progresses, as the ceiling tiles and light fixtures are removed in preparation for ceiling demolition. January 2025. Image: Manitoba Museum

An excavator driving in a pile along the exterior wall of the Museum.

Piles are being driven in for the new ramp and stairwell at the Rupert Avenue entrance. January 2025. Image: Manitoba Museum

A construction worker in a high vis shirt and hard hat stands on a platform, reaching up to remove a panel of the ceiling tiles in the Museum Foyer.

Construction continues as ceiling tiles are removed in the Museum Foyer. January 2025. Image: Manitoba Museum

View into the Museum Foyer from the Main street entrance. Hoarding blocks off most of the Foyer, allowing for entrance towards the elevator, the stairwell, and the Museum Galleries.

Hoarding is set up in the Museum Foyer as the interior construction begins! November 2024. Image: Manitoba Museum

White wooden hoarding forming a tunnel through the Museum Foyer towards the Museum Galleries entrance.

Hoarding is set up in the Museum Foyer as the interior construction begins! November 2024. Image: Manitoba Museum

The Manitoba Museum's Rupert Avenue entrance under construction. A orange-red bobcat is parked along the sidewalk in front of a gravel area where the ramp and stairwell used to be. An orange tarp covers the previous Concourse entranceway.

The old Rupert Ave ramp and stairs having been removed in preparation for the new and improved ones! November 2024. Image: Manitoba Museum

The Museum Shop in the Foyer, with construction workers moving about inside, removing shelves and walls as construction begins.

The old Museum Shop is coming down as construction begins in the Foyer! In the meantime, all Museum Shop merchandise is available online at ManitobaMuseumShop.ca. September 2024. Image: Manitoba Museum

The Manitoba Museum Rupert Avenue entrance with construction hoarding in place. Branded banners with colourful Ms and a notice reading "Open during construction" and direction visitors to the Main Street entrance are affixed to the front.

Colourful signage on the construction hoarding in front of the Rupert Street entrance directs visitors towards our Main Street entrance. Image: Manitoba Museum

A plywood access ramp at one end of a staircase leading to the Manitoba Museum's Main Street entrance.

Alternate entrance: Visitors can enter through the Museum’s Main Street entrance, where temporary access ramps have been built. Image: Manitoba Museum

A plywood access ramp at one end of a staircase next to the Manitoba Museum's Alloway Hall.

Alternate entrance: Visitors can enter through the Museum’s Main Street entrance, where temporary access ramps have been built. Image: Manitoba Museum

The Manitoba Museum Rupert Avenue entrance with construction barricades in place.

Construction beings: the Rupert Avenue entrance is closed as work begins, September 2024. Image: Manitoba Museum

The exterior of the Rupert entrance to the Manitoba Museum in June 2024. Tyndall stone walls form the exterior wall next to a low cement ramp and stairways to the doors.

The starting point: the Rupert Avenue exterior in June 2024. Image: Manitoba Museum

A rendering of the new Manitoba Museum Rupert Street entrance during the day, with a copper-coloured awning sheltering the entrance stairs and an updated ramp with a guard rail next to full glass walls into the foyer.

The end goal: an impression of the renovated Rupert Avenue entrance. Image: Stantec/Manitoba Museum

A rendering of the new Manitoba Museum Rupert Street entrance during the evening, with a copper-coloured awning with skylights and lighting sheltering the entrance stairs and an updated ramp with a guard rail.

The end goal: an impression of the renovated Rupert Avenue entrance. Image: Stantec/Manitoba Museum

Manitoba Museum Shop logo.

Manitoba Museum Shop

Our Museum Shop is closed for in-person shopping until fall 2025. But don’t worry! You can still buy select items at the Box Office and find all the Shop goods online at ManitobaMuseumShop.ca. 

Here is a sneak peak of what’s to come including the launch of our Museum Shop Cafe in late 2025.

A rendering of the renovated Museum Foyer and Shop area facing the Box Office desk. Across from the Box Office waiting area is an open-concept Shop next to a variety of seating areas with and without tables.

A rendering pf the renovated Shop area looking into the Shop space. An open-concept Shop with low display tables and shelves along the interior glass wall.

Frequently Asked Questions:

General

Visitors

Rentals

School Groups

Programs & Events

Museum Shop

Membership

Volunteers

Contact Us

Feel free to explore the links and resources provided. If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at Info@ManitobaMuseum.ca. 

We appreciate your understanding and support during this transformation.