This September marks 2 years since the start of construction on the collections and research building – now known officially as the Provincial Archives, Research and Collections Campus or PARC Campus.

View our two minute video showing the 24 month evolution of the construction process – from bare land to completion of the “weather tight” building.

The summer of 2023 marks the start of the excavation works on the site, in preparation for the extensive foundation works  – which would span almost 4 acres of the 8 acre site.

In early Fall, the building permit was issued, allowing for the site mobilization activities to take place such as equipment and  trailers, creating a contractors’ village.

The footings and foundations were built in stages, followed by phased construction of the building.

By November 2023, the foundation work for the east collections section of the building progressed enough to support the first installation of the mass timber on site.

By March of 2024 all the foundation works were completed and the erection of the central labs section began.

The summer of 2024 marked the start of the west collections section and by fall of 2024, all sections of the building were constructed including the installation of the rammed earth walls, all the structural mass timber elements and completion of the roof.

The summer of 2025 marked milestones for interior works such as:

• Completion of the mass timber elements
• Installation of sky lights
• Mechanical and electrical fit out began
• Storage and shelving installation
• Drywall and other finishing
• Installation of glazing (windows)

By fall of 2025, twenty four months into the construction, the building’s exterior will be deemed “weather tight” and the construction detail will focus on fitting out the building – which includes finishing and fixturing works.

Up Next: Outside the building, earth works are now underway, preparing the site for the landscape design for the three distinct ecological habitats, the related outdoor learning rooms, the walking trails,  the gathering circle and the public art.