February 8, 2010

DAN O’REILLY

The expansion and renovation of the Peel Heritage Complex will involve gutting the interior, but the architectural finishes will be maintained.

Peel Heritage Complex in downtown Brampton to undergo $11-million renovation

DAN O’REILLY

correspondent

A major transformation and expansion of one of Peel Region’s most iconic and important cultural facilities will get underway in early March when the Peel Heritage Complex in downtown Brampton closes for a one-year, $11-million renovation.

Tenders for a general contractors have just been issued and an award winner will be announced this month, says Peel Regional project manager Ed Wong.

As the provincial and federal governments are providing two-thirds of the funding under the Infrastructure Stimulus Funding program, the project has to be completed by the end of March 2011 to qualify for the program, he says. The region will make up the balance.

Designed by Toronto-based Goldsmith Borgal and Company Ltd. Architects, which also conducted a feasibility study for the region in 2008, the expansion will quadruple its climate- controlled storages areas, double its art gallery exhibition space, and almost double its museum exhibition space, allowing for off-site records to be returned.

Other work planned includes the creation of new public entrances and barrier-free accesses, installing energy efficient plumbing and light fixtures, and the installation of geothermal heating and cooling for a portion of the complex.

The expansion is critical to properly house and display the complex’s extensive collection of museum and archival material and pieces of art, says acting director Diane Allengame.

“We don’t have enough space and have wanted to do this (the expansion) for a long time.”

Not only will the expansion provide that room, the project will also improve the rather restricted public circulation routes between the complex’s two distinctive wings.

The east wing is comprised of the former 1867 Peel County Jail which is where the museum and archival records are located and a 1890s land registry building which serves as the art gallery.

Fronting on to Hurontario Street kitty corner from the City of Brampton administration headquarters is the west wing.

It consists of the former 1867 Peel County courthouse and an old hydro headquarters building constructed in 1958.

With the departure of other regional departments to other locations, this fourth structure has now become available and that is where the bulk of the renovation will occur. An approximately 4,900-square-foot climate controlled exhibition area and art gallery will be built on the second level, while a studio, a teaching room, a multi-purpose, and a main entrance will be constructed on the first floor.

A new walkway from Hurontario Street will lead to the entranceway.

Although the interior will be gutted, the limestone panelling and glass exterior will be left untouched and the overall objective is to respect the building’s architectural style and finishes. “It was considered quite avante garde for Brampton when it was built.”

However, a new glass and mesh screen will be erected in front of the building to give it more presence on Hurontario Street, says Allengame.

An existing atrium which connects the building with the adjacent courthouse will also be greatly enlarged, providing dramatic overviews of the heritage grounds, she adds.

At the courthouse, which is used to host social functions, the project will primarily consist of painting, some upgrades, and the installation of a new kitchen on the second floor.

Other components of the expansion will include the erection of a covered walkway between the wings, plus the building of a new entrance for the east section.

While the building will be closed for a year, the Peel Heritage Complex staff will continue to conduct a number of outreach programs and participate in off site exhibitions.

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