The province is providing additional funding to the museum to expand Wi-Fi connectivity, upgrade IT equipment, and improve the visitor experience.
Western Development Museum (WDM) CEO Joan Kanigan said that “This funding will go a long way to address a significant technological gap at the WDM Moose Jaw and WDM Saskatoon.”
The Western Development Museum website states that WDM is the largest human history museum in Saskatchewan. The WDM Moose Jaw location focuses on the history of transportation in Saskatchewan, including exhibits like a CF-SAM aircraft, which pioneered the first non-military, government-operated air ambulance service in the world.
“The improvements to our Wi-Fi connectivity and ability to live-stream tours and programs will benefit visitors, students, and educators across the province,” Kanigan said. “We are very grateful for the support we receive from the Government of Saskatchewan through the Ministry of Parks, Culture, and Sport.”
The WDM has adapted to the pandemic by offering online programming, including a course offered to students in grades 10-12. The course is titled “Think Like a Historian” and focuses on sources of information used to compare the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic with the modern COVID-19 pandemic.
Laura Ross, Minister of Parks, Culture, and Sport, said “The government is pleased to provide additional funding to the Western Development Museum. This investment will allow the museum to acquire the technology, equipment, and internet bandwidth necessary to improve services and interact with communities throughout Saskatchewan.”
The following upgrades will be completed in the 2021-22 fiscal year:
• Improvements to Wi-Fi access points
• Enhancements to live streaming equipment and interactive video conferencing ability
• Interactive whiteboards, portable stands, and other associated equipment
Another focus of the funding will be to modernize meetings rooms and rental spaces at WDM locations.
