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Against the backdrop of the River and the still-under construction Remai Modern art gallery, the gallery’s long-awaited opening date was finally announced: Oct. 21.

The official announcement was made Tuesday by Remai Modern board chair Alain Gaucher in a press conference outside of the building.

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CEO Gregory Burke said the opening exhibits will have a strong representation of indigenous and Canadian artists, and the collection of Picassos will also have an important role in the opening exhibits.

The first exhibit announced is called Fieldguide, but further announcements will be made in the coming months.

The gallery, which was previously expected to open in spring 2016, has been a controversial project.

The project was first approved for public funding in 2009 at an estimated cost of $58 million, and was set to be completed in 2014. The cost has since ballooned.

While a final cost has yet to be determined, it is pegged at somewhere between $108.8 million and $110.8 million.