Art gallery pausing construction for three months

The Thunder Bay Art Gallery has announced that it will be halting all construction on its new building on the north core waterfront.

The decision was made by the gallery’s Board of Directors as a way to “review the project’s scope, budget, schedule, and delivery approach,” according to a release.

“While this decision was not made lightly, it reflects our commitment to responsible project management and the long-term success of this important community project,” says gallery Executive Director Matthew Hills. “This review period will allow us to identify practical opportunities to improve project delivery, strengthen project controls, and ensure we have the right framework in place for the next stage of construction.”

Construction on the art gallery has faced hurdles as costs have substantially increased since the project was initially conceived, pushing the budget from about $50 million to $80 million.

In a recent interview, Hills stated that the gallery would be looking at ways to bring down the project’s price tag.

While construction on the building has been halted, the gallery is continuing to fundraise and conduct other work on the project.

This story may be updated if more information becomes available.