New location announced for New Brunswick Museum

Tourism, Heritage and Culture
Transportation and Infrastructure
Office of the Premier

SAINT JOHN (GNB) – The provincial government will purchase a portion of the former Canadian Coast Guard property in Saint John as the future site of the New Brunswick Museum.

“Your government recognizes the important role that the New Brunswick Museum plays in our cultural community and to the tourism industry, both in Saint John and across the province,” said Premier Brian Gallant. “By investing in this cultural infrastructure we are stimulating economic growth, supporting the uptown core of Saint John, and improving the experience for tourists to our province.”

The provincial government has already committed $50 million to the construction of a new museum facility. The New Brunswick Museum attracts more than 100,000 visitors each year, between its two facilities. The construction of a new facility will bring all components under one roof.

The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure has entered into an option to purchase agreement with the City of Saint John for the property, a two-acre lot on Water Street.

The property transaction will close on or before Sept. 30. In the meantime, the provincial government will begin preconstruction work, including consulting with the City of Saint John and the general public to ensure the design of the new facility fits into the city’s master plan for the area.

“This chosen site on the waterfront in the heart of historic uptown Saint John is the ideal new home for the New Brunswick Museum,” said Shannon Merrifield, chair of the board of directors of the museum. “Our staff, board of directors and members of the New Brunswick Museum Foundation thank the premier and the Province of New Brunswick for working with the City of Saint John in securing this great site as we move forward together with facility renewal.”

The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure’s $688.2 million capital budget reflects the government’s priority to invest strategically in its buildings, highways and bridges. Strategic investments in infrastructure are a key component of the multi-year New Brunswick Economic Growth Plan, the province’s framework for growing the economy and creating jobs.

The New Brunswick Tourism Growth Strategy will invest $100 million in tourism over the next eight years, with a goal of growing tourism-related GDP to $2 billion by 2025. Tourism has been identified as a key opportunity for growth in the New Brunswick Economic Growth Plan. Tourism visitor spending is estimated at $1.3 billion, making it the third-largest service sector in the province.

Media Contact(s)

Jeremy Trevors, communications, Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, 506-453-5912.

Barbara Day, communications, Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture, 506-444-5185.