The Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum project has been through its ups and downs over the past three years, but after the finalization of the County of Grande Prairie budget, there’s only one way the museum can go, and it’s up.

County councillors were able to shuffle some money and provide the Pipestone Creek Dinosaur Initiative with $3 million for the $30 million project, bringing the county’s total contribution to $7.1 million. On top of that, the county provided an additional $623,000 to fund operational expenses in 2013.

Executive Director Brian Brake approached councillors last October and asked for $5 million for the project. Councillors met with Brake again Thursday to discuss the future of the project during the county’s 2013 budget deliberations.

Brake was nearly halfway through his presentation before councillor Brock Smith interrupted him.

“I think it’s time we make a decision on this project,” Smith said, adding, “If the county is going to do it, we got to do it.”

Most councillors thought the $5 million request was too much. Smith made a motion to reallocate $3 million in MSI funding from a project that would resurface Range Road 82 to the museum.

Every councillor voted in favour of the motion.

Following the agreement a secondary motion was made to give permission to the Pipestone Creek Dinosaur Initiative to begin the tendering process for the structure.

Councillors agreed to give permission to the PCDI to tender the project in January 2013.

“That’s what it’s all about. Once you get that shovel into the ground you’re moving. We haven’t been able to do that until today. The support we got from the county today is outstanding and from the city just recently. We are ready to roll,” Brake said following the decision.

The City of Grande Prairie granted a conditional $2 million to the project at its budget deliberations last month. The city was only going to give the money to the project if the PCDI started construction in 2013.

It seems that over the past four weeks the stars have aligned for the PCDI, but it doesn’t come without its challenges.

The organization is still short about $7 million for the complete project, Brake said.

“When you count in the displays and the actual building, this will leave us about $4 to $5 million short still. That’s assuming that our sponsorship program works. All together it’s about $7 million that we need to go out there and find somewhere,” Brake said.

The $7 million shortfall is a challenge, but it’s not impossible.

“We’ve got to work on it,” said Ross Sutherland, who is the chairman of the PCDI board and the Deputy Reeve for the county. “There is industry out there that are willing to up their contribution so far, we’re hoping that we can go back to them. There is also industry that has told us once we start action and get the shovel in the ground, we can go and request more funds.”

Brake has said all along that the biggest challenge of funding the project is that it wasn’t tangible

“Now, as of today, I have a project,” Brake said with a smile.

The $3 million that the PCDI got Thursday will help the organization build the building. Furnishing, displays and engineering for the displays are some of the items that are still unfunded.

The Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum will feature gallery spaces, two classrooms, a 64-seat theatre, research and collection areas, a restaurant, gift shop, and tourist services. The museum is going to sit on 10-acres of land located near Wembley along Highway 43.

The original funding plan for the $30 million project was to raise $10 million from the province, $10 million locally and $10 million from the federal government.

The federal government could not commit $10 million, leaving the resilient group scrambling for a solution.

PCDI has found its solution.

“Today is the first day of the beginning of putting this structure together. My team has been working on this for three years now, this is absolutely fantastic news for us today.”

Construction is expected to begin early spring 2013.

Aaron.hinks@sunmedia.ca

Twitter: @DHTAaron