Biodôme and Insectarium to close for major renovations
Biodôme to close for over one year starting next fall
Montreal's Biodôme and Insectarium will be getting a $45 million facelift that will require the eventual closure of each facility for a lengthy stretch.
The new-and-improved facilities will feature changes inspired by an international architecture contest and will require the Biodôme to remain closed from September 2016 to December 2017.
The Biodôme will be souped up with a larger lobby and improved mezzanine, as well as an expanded sub-polar section that will cost $22 million.
Another $23 million will be spent on renovations to the Insectarium, which will require the facility to close starting sometime in 2018, following the completion of celebrations surrounding the 375th anniversary of Montreal in 2017.
A butterfly house will be added to the Insectarium, which will also be renovated to allow a better view of insects, all in the aim of transforming into "a true biotope in which insects, plants and people can interact and take an interest in one another," according to Insectarium literature.