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An expansive glass façade illuminating suspended aircraft is delivering a powerful first impression alongside the main loop at Winnipeg Richardson International Airport.
Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada, formerly located on Ferry Road, is preparing to welcome the community into its inspiring new home in early 2022. Currently approaching the final stages of development, the museum is positioned to be a world-class attraction in the heart of the airport campus, celebrating Canada’s deep aviation history.
“The focus of the next five to six months will be preparing for the opening in March 2022,” said Terry Slobodian, President and CEO of Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada. “The largest project between now and then will be the fabrication, construction, and installation of the 17 zones that will make up the rich visitor experience within the 86,000 square foot facility.”
Part of those interactive zones and exhibitions will include displays of historic aircraft, taking visitors on a tour through the aviation heritage of western and northern Canada.
"Our new immersive exhibits will focus on the stories of our unique heritage aircraft, bringing history to life for a new generation,” said museum curator Davide Montebruno. “Key themes will include bush flying history, with a strong focus on Indigenous involvement in aviation history, aircraft of the Royal Canadian Air Force and Canadian innovations in aerospace development.”
The construction of the facility was completed on August 4, and the museum spared no time in moving myriad aircraft into the space.
“That same day, aircraft began arriving and were carefully suspended from the ceiling over the following weeks,” said Slobodian. “By the end of September, almost all of the aircraft were moved into the new museum from all across the province of Manitoba.”
Winnipeg Airports Authority partnered with the museum to help relocate a variety of aircraft that were being stored on the airport campus. Over the past two months, several planes were towed across the airfield to help settle them into their future home. The museum anticipates a total of 23 aircraft being displayed at the new facility, including a number of additional planes the public hasn’t seen before to further enrich the visitor experience.
With more people visiting the airport campus over the summer and into the fall of 2021, in sync with travel continuing to reopen and recover, the awareness of the coming-soon museum is growing within the community. Situated approximately a seven-minute walk from the airport terminal, the museum represents another tourist attraction Winnipeg has to offer — one travellers and guests can’t miss when they arrive, visit or stay at YWG.
As intrigue and excitement widely spreads leading up to the grand opening, Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada is frequently sharing updates and background information on what visitors can expect inside the space. Fore more details, check out https://royalaviationmuseum.com/.
