Feds give $3M to Remai art gallery

Remai gallery receives $3M from Ottawa Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale announced $3 million from the federal government for Saskatoon's Remai Modern on Wednesday.

Saskatoon’s Remai Modern art gallery is receiving $3 million from the federal government.

Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale announced the funding Wednesday at River Landing, nearby the nearly complete art gallery.

“Today’s investment will increase Remai Modern’s capacity to preserve its extensive collection while ensuring it is accessible to all,” Goodale said. He made the announcement on behalf of Canadian Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly.

“I look forward to coming back to Saskatoon once the museum opens to see first-hand this new, state-of-the-art facility.”

The $3 million, which is in addition to $13 million the federal government contributed to the art gallery in 2013, will be taken from the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund.

Construction on the art gallery began in the summer of 2013. The expected opening date has been pushed back several times, but Remai board members said last month they’re hoping the gallery can open by November of this year.

Latest estimates put the gallery’s price tag at $84.6 million.