Vancouver-based Axiom Builders, a Bosa Family company, has been hired as the general manager for the construction of the Audain Art Museum.
With extensive knowledge of Whistler and deep ties to the community spanning decades, the Bosa company is ready to take on its next challenge in the mountains.
"We are very excited to be part of the Audain Art Museum team," said Mike McDonough, vice president of Axiom Builders. "From purely a building standpoint, it is a unique project with many construction challenges. It is our job to ensure these challenges are resolved and delivered in an efficient manner to the highest possible quality standards. In the end the Audain Art Museum will leave Whistler with a significant architectural building that we will be proud to have been part of."
At last week's meeting on Tuesday Apr. 16, council approved a development permit and adopted the bylaws allowing construction to begin on the 3,640 square metre (40,000 square foot) project. It is expected to break ground this summer.
The museum will showcase the private collection of Vancouver developer and philanthropist Michael Audain — a visual art record of British Columbia from the late 18th century to present day. In early March, Audain also donated $5 million to help Emily Carr University of Art + Design create a new campus in Vancouver.
The Whistler museum will feature paintings by Emily Carr, E.J. Hughes, Gordon Smith and more, as well as a collection of First Nations masks.
Bosa companies are well known in the Whistler development community with several large village commercial/residential developments to their name.
"Our group has completed many projects in Whistler in the past and we are looking forward to completing another," said McDonough. "This project will open up many opportunities for local contractors and tradespeople."
Audain Art Museum board member Jim Moodie confirmed that Axiom was selected following a Request For Proposals (RFP) process.
"They were chosen because of their experience with large projects and their experience with steel structures," said Moodie.
The museum, which will be located in between Day Parking Lots 3 and 4, is set to open in late 2014 or early 2015.
