The federal Department of Public Works will convert the former Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography on Wellington Street into committee rooms for MPs, allowing them to proceed with a major renovation of the West Block in 2010 – four years earlier than planned.
The plan eliminates the need to keep the committee rooms in the West Block’s north wing operational as originally planned, which would have delayed completion of the project.
Emptying the building prior to its restoration means relocating the offices of 50 MPs, seven committee rooms and the food production facility for Parliament Hill, says project director Rob Wright.
Other nearby buildings being used to accommodate these occupants include La Promenade, the former Bank of Montreal and the Wellington Building. The food production facility will be moved to an off-site location, only a 10- minute drive from the Hill, says Wright.
Built in 1859, the West Block was last renovated in the 1960s and requires major rehabilitation, including extensive exterior conservation and interior renovations.
“These iconic symbols of Canada pre-date Confederation,” says Wright. “The Parliament Buildings are at the end of their life cycle and need a stem-to-stern overhaul.”
Ottawa Centre MP Paul Dewar, whose riding includes the parliamentary precinct, said the work needs to proceed despite the disruptions.
“There are serious concerns about the future of parliamentary buildings, as heritage buildings, as the home for Canadian democracy and a workplace for quite a few people,” he said. “We can’t afford any more delays.”
The current approved budget for the West Block rehabilitation, including renovations to temporary spaces needed to relocate occupants, is $821.5 million.
Dewar said the renovations should have begun a long time ago and that concerns about the costs have caused further delay.
“The fact is that the longer we wait, the more the buildings deteriorate and the higher the cost gets,” he said.
The entire rehabilitation of the West Block will occur in three broad phases, says Wright.