THUNDER BAY — “Fundamentally, what you see is proof of concept in our success thus far. That's no joke.”
That's what Matthew Hills, the executive director of the Thunder Bay Art Gallery, told Newswatch on Wednesday after taking local media on a tour of the partially-completed space on the city's north-side waterfront.
“I understand this gallery, my gallery," he said. "I'm executive director of the organization that we've taken on significant risk in this project."
"We've assumed that (risk), to some degree, for the city, on behalf of this community. We know that there's a risk there, but there's also a proof of concept and a proof of success that helps us reach this phase.”
The gallery initially was supposed to open in 2025, then it was delayed until 2026. Hills said inflationary pressures, supply-chain issues and the trade war have pushed the cost of the project up to $74.7 million.
“We know building in our community can have an impact of 20 to 50 per cent in terms of material supply and access to trades," he said. "So these are some of the challenges, but we also look at unprecedented circumstances in terms of tariff wars, in terms of the cost of sourcing material, which is a testament to the good work of the talented team we have around the table.”
“We've made changes. We've sourced, found different material supplies that make sure we're remaining rigorous and cost-efficient with the public money and public support that we have secured so far, but that is an ongoing process.”
Hills said after speaking to city council on Monday, the gallery is considering a phased opening in 2026 and will open the facility fully in early 2027.
That same night, city council agreed to release $5 million to help the cash-strapped waterfront project avoid a construction shutdown.
At this time, how the gallery is going to approach a phased opening is still an "ongoing conversation" with stakeholders and the city, Hills said.
“It really comes down to what the priorities and operation or occupancy would be," he said. "Are we prioritizing our education and educational spaces? Is it around the gallery space and exhibition?"
"We have a level of support through the Canada cultural spaces fund at the federal level, which is about the design and function of an art museum.”
Hills said federal support — which currently totals $37 million — is because the gallery is "the largest art museum between Toronto and Winnipeg," and has "an outstanding collection."
"We need a facility that meets those needs, and we have support at the federal level because of meeting those needs, because of those requirements," he said. "And if we look at different milestones or different construction scopes, there's a lot of moving pieces for us in that and a lot of different considerations.”
Hills said the gallery has spoken with senior levels of government to help find funding sources to make up the $22.6 million shortfall. Currently, Ontario has contributed $5.7 million, the city $5.2 million and private donations coming in at $4.9 million.
“We're leaving no stone unturned in those conversations, and to be clear, they are good ones," he said. "When people see the merits of this project — when we talk about truth and reconciliation, when we talk about the gallery's history — is championing local artists and championing culture in northern Ontario and Thunder Bay.”
Newswatch asked Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Kevin Holland on Tuesday at a funding announcement how the provincial government might be able to help with the gallery’s shortfall.
“We appreciate the hardships they're facing right now with regard to finding that additional funding that they need," Holland said.
"I continue to have the conversation with ministers that are responsible at the government level, making them well aware of the challenges that the art gallery is facing right now, and I will continue to have those conversations.”
Hills said that he is confident that gallery officials will get the project “past the finish line.”
"It will be a destination for tourists. We know that we will draw more than 40 thousand people at this location," he said.
"Currently just in feet-through-the-door of our current gallery, we get 25 thousand ... we know we will increase visitors at this location.”
Hills said the gallery will be a key part of the city's ongoing waterfront development and its cultural tourism plan.
“We already have proof of concept of that in our current location, but we know we'll be able to grow it.”
-With files from Alicia Anderson
