Alberta's dinosaur museum is getting a $9.3-million expansion.

In an announcement Friday afternoon, the provincial government said the funding — part of the Alberta Jobs Plan — will go toward expanding facilities and learning spaces, creating a family rest area, expanding accessible washrooms and creating a hands-on "discovery room."

The museum also unveiled a new exhibit that explores the science of paleontology.

"By making the museum experience even better, the expansion money our government is announcing today will increase visitors, create jobs, and leave a legacy for future generations," Alberta's Culture and Tourism Minister Ricardo Miranda said in a statement.

The province said the expansion will create both short-term and long-term employment.

Construction will start next spring and is expected to be finished by spring 2019.