This is when Doncaster's new £14 million Danum Gallery, Library and Museum could potentially open
Doncaster’s £14 million library, museum and art gallery will be ready to open in two weeks – but residents will have to wait at least another two months to visit.
The new Danum Gallery, Library and Museum could potentially open on May 17 if the Government’s recovery timetable keeps to schedule but there will be an online opening ceremony to mark the completion of work on Wednesday, March 17.
Coronavirus restrictions mean museums cannot open until May 17 at the earliest under the Government’s re-opening roadmap, which was unveiled by prime minister Boris Johnson last month. No opening date has been announced for the Doncaster venue.
However, the council will put a virtual tour of the building in place online before that date to give the public a flavour of the building.
Mayor Ros Jones said: “We want to share the magic of Danum Gallery, Library and Museum with as many people as possible and this online tour is the next best thing to actually being there yourself.
“The cutting edge building is designed and kitted out to inspire creativity and learning. Embracing technology to bring it to life digitally is a fitting way for people to get a taste of what they can expect when we can officially open the doors and let visitors inside once coronavirus restrictions are lifted.”
The £14million building, built around the frontage of the former Doncaster High School for Girls, has already taken delivery of two on-loan steam locomotives part of a railways exhibition.
Mrs Jones added: “It was a bold move to deliver this development in the current economic climate. Bringing these services under one roof and raising the bar to a level other towns and cities will be envious of.
“The effect of this Covid-19 pandemic has been devastating so this should sprinkle some much-needed hope and happiness into our lives whilst these difficult times continue.”
The art gallery displays works from the Doncaster Art Collection. There is also a space for art works loaned from the likes of the British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Arts Council Collection.
The library offers a mix of traditional and new ways of learning, with research spaces.
The museum is split into various zones, and also includes a new look King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Museum.