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 will embark 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
  • Interior Start Date (Museum Shop Closure and Vestibule Demolition)– September 9, 2024
  • Exterior Completion Date – Early summer 2025
  • Total Completion – Summer 2025 
Museum Foyer Upgrades Timeline

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

  • Start Date: Mid October, 2024
  • Phase 1 completion: Early Spring 2025
  • Total completion: TBD
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 closes, 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 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.