$3.6M extra raised for Remai Modern Art Gallery improvements

Fundraising has brought in extra money for some much-needed projects at the Remai Modern Art Gallery.

The Frank and Ellen Remai Foundation is donating an extra $2 million to the project. The money will be used to build extra gallery space, as well as a security wall on the ground floor.

"The security perimeter on the ground floor will enable us to secure the art gallery in a way that is appropriate for an art gallery of the standard of the Remai Modern," said Executive Director Gregory Burke. "That will mean we won't have any trouble bringing in international shows, we'll make significants savings in terms of the cost of providing security manpower."

Other fundraising has brought in another $1.6 million that will be used to complete a banquet room and other amenities.

These additional features were not part of the original budget of the building, but were still seen as important.

Remai Modern administrators wanted to build the features now, rather than have to do construction once the gallery opens.

"The impact of doing it now is considerably less than doing it later," said Burke.

A construction update reports that the contractor is still projecting the building will be completed by May 2016, and will be on budget.

The gallery is expected to be open by the 2016 Labour Day weekend.