London Children's Museum now $2M closer to relocation in city's east end

The Canadian government announced $2 million in funding Thursday to support the move and expansion of the London Children's Museum.

The Children's Museum announced plans for a new site in 2018. The $23-million project will involve moving it from its current location on Wharncliffe Road and open at 100 Kellogg Lane in the east end by fall 2024.

The latest investment will go toward helping the museum double its square footage, allowing more space for the landmark fixture to evolve. 

"Our community is growing," said Peter Fragiskatos, MP for London North Centre. "It's the fastest-growing community in Ontario, the fourth fast-growing community in our country. And as such, there's a strong need to have a space that really takes that growth into account." 

Plans for the new site include eight new interactive exhibits. Some will be fresh takes on old favourites like the caves and dinosaur dig pit, and others will be original to the 100 Kellogg Lane space. 

The Farm and Factory exhibit tells the story of the region's manufacturing, industrial and agricultural history. The Stream exhibit takes inspiration from the Thames River (Deshkan Ziibi) to explore water physics and life on the water. 

The project was originally slated to cost $19 million, but faced budgetary setbacks due to the pandemic. The museum has now secured $18 million from government funding and donations, with $5 million more to go. 

"We are so grateful for this announcement today," Kate Ledgley, the museum's executive director, said Thursday during a news conference at 100 Kellogg Lane. "I think it speaks to the importance of experiences like this for children and families and it's something for London and our area to be very proud of." 

The new museum is expected to contribute $6.4 million to the local economy once it opens, she said.

"We've got to invest in housing and infrastructure, we've got to deal with the big challenges," said London Mayor Josh Morgan. "But the other thing we absolutely have to do is invest in those sorts of institutions that enhance the quality of life in our city.  And I can tell you the London Children's Museum does exactly that."

The London Children's Museum is the first children's museum in Canada. It was founded by the late Carol Johnston, who in the 1970s went to the Boston Children's Museum and brought the idea back home. 

The first location was at the site of the London Towers before it moved to 21 Wharncliffe Rd. South, where it has seen more than 3 million children and families come through its doors.