Work on the Centennial Botanical Conservatory will be aided by federal funds.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP Marcus Powlowski unveiled over $1.7 million from the Heritage Ministry that will help renew and restore the facility, which has been around since 1967.

“I have always really enjoyed the Conservatory because even in the middle of February when Spring seems a million miles away, you feel like you are in the tropics when you walk into the Conservatory,” Powlowski noted. “Thanks to our Government’s funding, provincial funding, municipal funding and the work of many volunteers, the Centennial Botanical Conservatory will continue to be enjoyed by many generations to come.”

The City of Thunder Bay had applied for the funding previously as they look to renovate the main area and the East and West Wings of the structure.

On January 24th, Council awarded the demolition and replacement of new production greenhouse and new attached annex building to M Builds up to the amount of $4.8 million inclusive of all taxes and a contingency allowance.

The entire project has been previously budgeted at over $7 million and could be finished by the end of 2023.