Province House in Charlottetown reopens after 12 years

Province House, Prince Edward Island’s historic legislature in Charlottetown, officially reopened Saturday after a restoration that took almost 12 years, The Canadian Press reported.

The neo-classical building hosted its first legislative session in 1847, which makes it the second-oldest legislature in Canada. It is best known as the site of the political negotiations in September 1864 that led to the founding of the country three years later.

The work followed a February 2014 report from an engineering firm that found the foundation was crumbling and that part of the building could collapse. Officials confirmed at the time that the building also had a leaky roof, deteriorating masonry and falling plaster.

The building closed for repairs in 2015, and the legislative chamber moved to the George Coles Building on nearby Richmond Street.

The project met several setbacks over the years, The Canadian Press reported. Delays came from the COVID-19 pandemic and supply-chain problems, while material costs rose and skilled tradespeople were in short supply.

Charlottetown has been in our coverage this month for other reasons, including the city’s tap water ranking and lane closures on Queen and Euston streets.

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Via The Canadian Press.