Canada Science and Technology Museum to remove deteriorating landmarks

The Canada Science and Technology Museum, which closed abruptly in September after unsafe levels of mould in the air were discovered, is now dismantling two landmarks on its front lawn "for safety reasons related to their deterioration," it announced in a media release Tuesday afternoon.

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The Atlas Rocket, on display in Technology Park in front of the museum, had been on loan from theUnited States Air Force since 1973.

Its fuel tank, made of 27 sections of thin stainless steel, requiresconstant pressurization to prevent it from crumbling on itself, the museum said.

"Over the years, weathering has deteriorated it. It has not been air tight for many years, and a compressor coupled to a generator have beenrequired to maintain its internal pressure to prevent it from collapsing upon itself," the museum said.

"As itsdeterioration advances and becomes more severe, practical solutions to maintain the requiredinternal pressure to prevent it from crumpling and potentially injuring visitors to [the]TechnologyPark are running out."

The museum said it will dispose of the rocket as advised by the U.S. Air Force, which does not want it back.

The oil pumpjack, which was used in Saskatchewan before the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producersdonated it to the museum in 1967, will also be removed and keptin a museum storage facility.

"Weathering has also damaged the oilpumpjackover the years, leading to fears some piecescould detach and injure Technology Park visitors," the museum said.

The time of removal will "depend on the judgment of contractors" hired for the task.

Museumexpected to reopen in 2017 after upgrades

In September,the museum wasforced to close after tests revealed high levels of airborne mould as a result of a leaky roof.

The museum had been asking the federal government for funding as early as 2010to help fix the leaky roof whose"lifecycle had come to an end," according to documents obtained by CBC News through an access to information request.

Documents also revealedthat trace amounts of asbestos were found inside the museum in October 2013.

In November 2014, after the museum was forced to close, the federal government announced $80.5 million to fund major renovations, including a new roof,an upgraded facade, updates to the exhibit space and a retrofit of the building to meet updated fire and earthquake-resistance codes. The museumis expected to reopen in 2017.

Mayor Jim Watson said the government "blind-sided"the city with its decision, as he and others had been promoting the idea ofa new building for the museum in a more central location, such asLeBreton Flats.