Presentation of the New Design Concept for the Canadian War Museum
Ottawa, Ontario, August 7, 2002 — The final design concept for the new Canadian War Museum to be built on LeBreton Flats in downtown Ottawa was presented today by Raymond Moriyama and Alex Rankin, on behalf of the Canadian War Museum and the architectural consortium Moriyama and Teshima of Toronto and Griffiths Rankin Cook of Ottawa.
Also presiding over the official presentation were the Honourable Sheila Copps, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Dr. Victor Rabinovitch, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation (CMCC), Joe Geurts, Director and CEO of the Canadian War Museum (CWM) and Claudette Roy, Vice-Chair of the CMCC Board of Trustees.
“This new museum will be something Canadians can truly be proud of. It will pay tribute to Canadians who took part in various conflicts and peace missions and made tremendous sacrifices,” said Sheila Copps, Minister of Canadian Heritage. “The final design reflects a consensus and the input of many Canadians, notably our veterans, who wanted this museum to be a monument to the efforts made by all those who believed in the values of freedom that are so dear to us. This building will be a place worthy of the important memories that it is intended to preserve.”
The theme of the final design concept is that of “regeneration.” In the words of the lead architect, Raymond Moriyama, “Nature may be ravished by human acts of war, but inevitably it hybridizes, regenerates and prevails. The Museum is a tribute to our military past and to the tremendous sacrifices and contributions made by all Canadians in times of war, as well as a salute to the freedom and democracy that have resulted from the sacrifices of the men and women who have served this country.”
“We have completed an important step today in announcing the final design concept,” said Dr. Rabinovitch. “The Museum will stand as a worthy reminder of those who have made sacrifices in the pursuit of democracy and who have helped to shape Canada as it is today.”
The new Canadian War Museum will be built on LeBreton Flats, in the heart of the National Capital. It will be linked to a ring of national institutions that include the Canadian Museum of Civilization, the National Gallery of Canada, Parliament Hill, the National War Memorial, the Supreme Court, the National Archives and the National Library.
Construction will begin in the fall of 2002. The opening is planned for 2005, the year of of the 60th anniversary of the Second World War and the 125th anniversary of the CWM. The total cost of the project is $105.75 million, with contributions of $83.75 million from the Government of Canada, $7 million from the Canadian Museum of Civilization and $15 million from a fundraising campaign.
“We are very excited about this design concept,” said Mr. Geurts. “The presentation of the final design is just the beginning of an exciting period for the Museum as we begin construction, finalize a new programme of exhibits and plan for the opening of this magnificent new building in 2005. This new facility will enable us to tell how Canada’s military history has influenced its national destiny.”
The Passing the Torch campaign of the Friends of the Canadian War Museum (FCWM), chaired by General (Ret’d) Paul D. Manson, has raised $12 million to date. “The success of our campaign to date sets an excellent example for all Canadians, as we strive to make the Museum a world-class institution worthy of those who served and sacrificed in the name of peace and freedom,” said General Manson. The FCWM will continue its fundraising efforts over the coming months to ensure that its $15 million target is reached.
Media Information:
Senior Communications Officer
Canadian War Museum
Tel.: (819) 776-8607
Communications and Development Officer
Canadian War Museum
Tel.: (819) 776-8608
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