To maintain momentum, the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre's President and Board Chair Chris Leach says they must move to a new facility.

Conversations have happened in the past, and it never got further than just an idea. Leach says now the board is taking active steps in making those conversations a reality, but it's going to take substantial resources.

"That's not going to occur unless we get funding. We're tentatively looking at a facility that would effectively double the square footage we currently have, of 26,000 square feet. There was a feasibility study done at about 2008, and we're looking to update that study."

Chris Leach.

Leach says the board anticipates a new facility could cost anywhere from $25 million to $35 million. He adds the federal and provincial governments would likely be significant contributors.

As one of only seven recognized signature museums in the province, the CFDC receives approximately $60,000 in funding annually.

The city of Morden would also be involved in some capacity.

"The board has met with all of Council and has asked the city to provide us with support in principle that they're behind the project. We're not asking them for specifics at this time, as we're not in a position on where we are and what the final costs are going to be."

Leach adds when looking at the feasibility of expansion, it can be difficult to compare to the Royal Tyrell Museum in Drumheller, Alberta, which receives $25 million, and he says Manitoba isn't in a position to do that.

However, Leach believes the CFDC has proven time and time again their return on investment for the community, and it saw tremendous success under the leadership of previous Executive Director Peter Cantelon.

Related Article: CFDC Says Investing In The Museum Is An Investment In The Community

Filling a new facility wouldn't be an issue, says Leach. The CFDC has a vast collection of specimens that has yet to be fully realized, and some items have remained in the backroom for over 30 years because there isn't enough space to add more displays.

A great example is a revolutionary shark fossil, which Leach says once the papers are published could be as or more significant the discovery of Bruce, the mosasaur.

"Because their [skeletons] are cartilage, [usually] all you get are teeth, and sometimes the vertebra from the spine. We have an 80-million-year-old shark that's [mostly} complete, and interestingly all that's missing are teeth."

There are so many different specimens with unique and exciting tales to tell, says Leach, "the CFDC is a very special place."

Once a new Executive Director is hired, Leach says it will be their job to deliver getting a new facility constructed and begin operations.