Work scheduled to upgrade, preserve Kamloops Museum and Archives building

Photo: City of Kamloops / Kamloops Museum and Archives

The Kamloops Museum and Archives building in 1977 and 2021.

The Kamloops Museum and Archives building will soon be receiving upgrades, according to the city.

In a statement, the City of Kamloops said the work will seek to preserve the 65-year-old, mid-century modern building’s architectural heritage.

Crews will repair damaged wood and remove old signage.

Drafty windows will be replaced with tightly sealed units with UV protected glass, to better house the museum’s collection and artefacts.

The building will also be repainted, and work will be completed to its foundation.

To prepare for the upgrades, the city said the vine on the west side of the building needed to be removed, but it will be replaced with new greenery at the front.

Matt Macintosh, the city’s museum curator, said the removal of the vine was a sad necessity.

“It’s been a dynamic, living part of our building. We’ve been advised that its root system poses inevitable risks for the building — and by extension, the museum collection,” Macintosh said.

“It was decided that now — in and among other work intended to prevent larger, future costs — was the best time to take it down.”

The city said crews will begin work in June, and it will take three months to complete.

The KMA will remain open for visitors while work is being done.