The Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre is excited to open its doors to the public once again, starting June 1.

Executive Director Aldolpho Cuetara says that since they are in the Access Event Centre, they had to wait for the city to permit them to open.

Visitors can expect to see several changes as per provincial requirements:

  • The physical distancing of 2 metres (6 feet) is to be maintained at all times when on at the CFDC, and the occupancy of the gift shop is restricted to 2 customers;
  • Hand-sanitation and increased cleaning practices of the gift shop, washrooms and other high-touch surfaces are in place;
  • Cashless and no-contact payment preferred;
  • And staff and patrons are welcome to wear self-provided masks.

"We are improving the entrance with a route to come in and exit, to maintain social distancing," says Cuetara. "We've made a few changes in the Mosasaur Hall to have more room. The hall right now is a huge space, so people can stay longer to see the fossils while being further apart."

Unfortunately, Cuetara says the children's area will be closed until further notice, due to all the surfaces the kids could touch, and can't keep track of all surfaces that need to be cleaned.

With closures from COVID-19, there's a lot of uncertainties, says Cuetara. Following projections of Manitoba Tourism, Cuetara says the CFDC will mostly be surviving on admission and gift shop sales from locals, with some from Winnipeg.

Although it will be a challenge for the future, he says they're focusing on what they can control, working on what can be done once reality has returned to normal.

The museum received a grant through the Building Sustainable Communities program of $41,250 to update its feasibility study. The document will aid in persuading stakeholders on the benefits of expanding the museum.

"We are pursuing to build a new facility, a standalone building for the CFDC. We will need a study to show stakeholders it's a good idea, sustainable, and a good investment for the community. [A new facility] will be able to attract more tourists to the area, which is good for the community in terms of money.

The CFDC will hold a virtual AGM June 25, to share its report of the activities of 2019 and audited financial statements.