The Centre Block on Parliament Hill is undergoing a massive overhaul, expected to be completed by 2031 and open to the public by 2032.
Rob Wright, an assistant deputy minister at Public Services and Procurement Canada, has announced that structural strengthening and heritage restoration are currently in progress.
A new three-level welcome centre is being built underneath the building and around the core of the iconic Peace Tower.
Wright explains that crews are excavating 23 meters deep to make way for the 32,000-square-meter centre.
The new public entrance will be designed with two accessible pathways leading from the eternal flame and courtyard in front of Centre Block to the welcome centre’s main floor, security checkpoints, and elevators.
The Centre Block restoration project is viewed during a media tour on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, June 22, 2023.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
The lowest level of the centre is expected to feature museum-esque exhibits, a multimedia theatre, and on-site classrooms to educate visitors about Parliament.
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During a tour of the ongoing renovations, Wright emphasized the importance of involving parliamentarians in engaging with the public.
Kali Prostebby, the manager of visitor services at the Library of Parliament, described what a visit might look like for a classroom.
“Spend the day with a curriculum-specific program for the grade level of your students, attend question period, meet with a parliamentarian from your region, check out the exhibit spaces,” she listed off.
“The idea is to provide a dynamic and flexible experience that connects Canadians with Parliament, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach,” she added.
Wright stated that the vision for Centre Block’s overhaul is to modernize the building, improve accessibility, and preserve its heritage.
He explained that three floors will be added above the Hall of Honour, which is Centre Block’s main corridor connecting the library to Confederation Hall.
The West Block: Touring the House of Commons’ temporary new home
In addition to office space, the new Centre Block will include an Indigenous cultural space and an informal lounge for parliamentarians.
The roof of Centre Block will be raised by five meters to improve heating and cooling efficiency.
The project aims for Centre Block to consume 75% less energy and 50% less water than before renovations, with a focus on achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.
Seismic retrofitting, a common practice in heritage sites in California and the southern United States, is being carried out on Centre Block to make it more resistant to ground motion and earthquakes.
The renovated design includes sky-facing windows to enhance natural lighting inside Centre Block.
A final tour of Centre Block before it closes for a 10-year renovation
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